Heroic Eleven-Year-Old Girl Prevents Tragedy

• Artist: Muncie Free Press
• Title: 911 Call
• Album: Indiana State Police
• Year: 2007
• Length: 6:35 minutes (5.28 MB)
• Format: Mono 11kHz 112Kbps (CBR)

MIAMI COUNTY, IN – Saturday, April 21, at approximately 2:29 p.m., Indiana State Police Telecommunications Operator Mike Hale received a 911 call from a frantic 11-year-old girl stating her mother was having a medical emergency. The girl did not know which county she was in, but could see a road sign with 300 S on it. At the same time, another call came into the Indiana State Police Post at Peru reporting a reckless driver on U.S. 31 at County Road 300 South in Miami County. Hale stayed on the phone with the girl as Telecommunications Operator Brad Deane dispatched an ambulance and troopers to the area.

Upon arrival, officers located a van partially blocking the driving lane of southbound U.S. 31. The van was occupied by eleven-year-old Abigail Parker, her eight-year-old brother, and their mom Deborah Parker, 36, from Muncie, IN. Deborah Parker was having a diabetic emergency and was unaware of her surroundings. Paramedics arrived on scene and treated Deborah Parker for low blood sugar.

As officers spoke with the children, they learned Abigail had suspected her mother was having a blood sugar problem when she started driving the van erratically and at a high rate of speed. Abigail climbed from the rear seat of the van and onto her mother’s lap. She then placed her foot on the break pedal and safely steered the van onto the roadside. After stopping the van, Abigail turned the engine off and called 911. She believed the van was traveling 80 miles per hour before she stopped it.

“Her actions were nothing short of heroic,” stated Indiana State Police Senior Trooper Joe Swisher. “She reacted quickly to save her mother and brother from what could have been a tragic situation. She was also able to keep her mother calm and provide paramedics with her mom’s pertinent information. She also managed to keep her eight-year-old brother calm. Needless to say, I was extremely impressed. “

The Indiana State Police encourages motorists to call 911 when they observe an erratic driver. Give a vehicle description and direction of travel. Do not follow an erratic driver.

Also assisting at the scene were Indiana State Police Corporal Jeremy Kelly, First Sergeant Bob Land, and Dukes Hospital EMS.