SALT LAKE CITY — It didn't take long for a newborn baby to get an immediate up-close look at one of the joys of living in Salt Lake City: Traffic on I-15.
Just before 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, an expectant mom realized her baby wasn't going to wait much longer, forcing her to pull over to the side of the highway near 2700 South, where she gave birth to a baby boy in the shoulder of the northbound lanes.
A law enforcement officer like Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Angel Teran envisions plenty of scenarios when they sign up for the job.
“You are thinking about helping the community and making sure they’re okay," he said hours after taking part in a special delivery.
When Teran saw someone flashing their lights and swerving across lanes behind him, his mind turned to the job at hand.
"My first thought was why is he driving like that? But when I saw his face … it clicked. Something was wrong.”
Teran, who is just in his second year with the department, helped the car over to the side of the highway, and when he got to the car…
“I looked down and it’s just a brand new born baby," he shared.
Teran admitted that he hadn't trained for moments such as what he was a part of, but as a father himself, instincts kicked in. He wrapped the baby in a blanket and called in help from an EMT trooper.
The new mother and a friend who was driving came from West Jordan and were struggling with where to go when the baby wasn't going to wait much longer. They said they could have gone to a much closer hospital in Murray, but had an appointment at the University of Utah Hospital.
The appointment may have been missed, but the baby boy is now safe and sound, and Trooper Teran helped his community in a way he never imagined.
“If I can just smile at somebody and help them out with their day, that’s probably all I’m asking for," he said. "To help somebody…having a secret, intimate moment, having a baby - it’s a special gift.”
After the stork left, the mother and her child, were given a more medically-sound ride to the hospital.
Both mom and baby are doing great, according to UHP, although surely a bit startled, as all commuters usually are in northern Utah.
The right lanes of I-15 were closed immediately due to the unexpected arrival, but were reopened by 4 p.m.
