Couple Welcomes Baby Girl on New York Highway During Rush Hour Gridlock
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. — A New York couple’s drive to the hospital turned into an unforgettable roadside delivery after officers with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department (MTAPD) helped deliver their baby on the shoulder of I-678 during rush hour traffic.
Emergency on the Highway
The incident happened on September 22, as traffic crawled along the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge due to congestion from the U.N. General Assembly and a disabled tractor-trailer blocking two lanes.
The expectant father flagged down Sergeant Joseph Casale and Officer Eric Li of the MTAPD Highway Patrol near Exit 18 after pulling his car onto the shoulder. His wife was already in active labor.
Officers Deliver Baby Girl
Realizing the urgency, the officers gathered medical supplies and radioed for backup. Within moments, with the assistance of Officers Sam Vira and Brian Gilligan, the woman gave birth to a healthy baby girl on the side of the road.
The FDNY-EMS soon arrived and transported the family to NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, where the MTAPD later confirmed, “Mother and baby girl are recovering from their exciting ordeal.”
Baby Natalie’s First Photos
While the family’s names were initially withheld, the New York Post later reported the baby girl’s name as Natalie. Photos shared by MTAPD on Instagram and X showed Natalie wrapped in a pink blanket with her mother at the hospital. Officers later visited the family with gifts.
Recognition for Officers
This was the first time Sgt. Casale, Officer Li, and their colleagues had delivered a baby while on duty, despite each serving more than a decade with MTAPD. For their efforts, they received the Bridge and Tunnels President’s Award for Exemplary Service from division president Cathy Sheridan.
Community Reaction
The story has brought joy across the city, with many praising the officers’ calm under pressure during a chaotic rush hour.
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