A Miracle on Route 40: Off-Duty EMT Delivers Baby Girl by the Roadside in Woodstown

Imagine this: It’s the wee hours of April 19th, still dark, and Ashley Sullins and Keith Duca are absolutely flying down Route 40 in Woodstown, New Jersey. The destination? Inspira Medical Center, about a 20-minute drive away. Why the rush? Well, their baby girl had decided it was time to make her grand entrance, and she wasn't exactly waiting for a hospital room.

Panic, as you can well imagine, was setting in. Keith, behind the wheel, knew they wouldn't make it. He pulled over, right there on the shoulder of Route 40. Ashley, now in full labor, needed help, and she needed it now. He called 911, and the call went straight to Woodstown Police Dispatcher Michael J. DiPalma. DiPalma quickly dispatched Ptl. Anthony Guzzardo from Woodstown Police, along with local EMS units. But, you know, time was ticking. Baby Elara, as they would soon name her, had her own timetable.

And then, in a stroke of sheer, incredible luck, something truly amazing happened. Melissa Zaborowski, an EMT with Woodstown EMS – but crucially, off-duty at this very moment – was driving home from her overnight shift. She spotted Keith’s car pulled over, headlights flashing, and recognized it. Without a second thought, she pulled over too, her training and instinct immediately kicking in.

What followed was nothing short of heroic. Melissa sprang into action. There, on the side of a highway, under the dim pre-dawn light, she helped Ashley deliver baby Elara. It’s a moment that must have felt like an eternity, but in reality, was just a few frantic minutes. Think about that for a second: the courage, the presence of mind, the sheer capability required. She secured the baby, made sure both mom and little Elara were stable, wrapping the newborn in whatever she could find to keep her warm.

Just as Melissa had everything under control, Officer Guzzardo arrived, followed quickly by Carneys Point EMS and Inspira paramedics. They took over, providing professional care and transporting both Ashley and baby Elara to the hospital for proper follow-up. Mother and daughter are doing wonderfully, thankfully, and they’re both home now, healthy and safe.

Melissa, true to form, remains incredibly humble about the whole ordeal. “It’s what we’re trained to do,” she remarked, almost downplaying her incredible quick thinking. But let’s be real, stepping up like that, when you’re not even on the clock, makes her a bona fide hero. This isn't just a story about a baby being born; it’s a beautiful reminder of the everyday heroes walking among us, ready to make a profound difference when it matters most. It really just goes to show you never know what the day, or night, will bring, and sometimes, the biggest miracles happen right where you least expect them.