'Inmate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo': How Machete became a real-life hero and saved a baby from a car crash

Legendary actor Danny Trejo has been an action star for years but there was one moment when he became one in real life, saving a baby from an overturned car
PUBLISHED JUL 7, 2020
Danny Trejo (Getty Images)
Danny Trejo (Getty Images)

We've seen action stars do impossible things on the screen so many times. But it's always impressive when we see them do it in real life. Legendary actor Danny Trejo, also known by his popular nickname Machete, had one such moment in 2019 when he saved a baby from an overturned car. Here's how that went down:

It was a Wednesday morning in Los Angeles, back in August 2019, when Trejo happened to witness an accident in which two vehicles crashed into each other, causing one to roll over. The overturned vehicle happened to have a baby strapped to a car seat and the child was trapped inside the crashed automobile. According to CNN, Trejo tried to crawl in through a broken window to save the child but he couldn't get the seat belt unhooked. He then took the help of another bystander, Monica Jackson, and together, they were able to free the baby.

"The only thing that saved the little kid was his car seat," Trejo reportedly told a photographer who was on the scene. Three people were taken to a hospital from the scene of the crash, the Los Angeles Fire Department told CNN affiliate KABC. Thankfully, none of the victims' injuries were life-threatening.

The story might have been a lot more tragic if it wasn't for Trejo. The actor, who was 75 at the time, has dedicated himself to helping other people, and that's something that has helped him overcome his past as an ex-con and drug addict to become the star he is today. "Everything good that has happened to me has happened as a direct result of helping someone else," Trejo told KABC. "Everything."

Trejo's journey from convict to movie star is the subject of a new documentary called 'Inmate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo'. Directed by Brett Harvey, the feature-length documentary has appearances by Michelle Rodriguez, Robert Rodriguez, Cheech Marin, and many more including Trejo himself. Catch the full inspirational story of Trejo's life in 'Inmate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo', scheduled for release on Digital HD on July 7.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Sony Pictures chief Tom Rothman shared new comments about the studio’s superhero slate, sparking fresh discussion among fans.
3 hours ago
Christian Bale confirms ‘Heat 2’ return as production nears, with DiCaprio and Michael Mann reuniting for an international crime saga
12 hours ago
The James Bond rumor mills are back, and this time the actor is a familiar name and longtime candidate who was considered Daniel Craig's replacement.
1 day ago
Robert Carradine's death is deeply felt among the countless lives he touched throughout his long career as an entertainer.
1 day ago
The much-awaited film starring Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott will release in theaters on February 27
1 day ago
The comedy-horror film will see Grace advance to the next level of the game, and face off against four murderous families to survive
1 day ago
An R-Rated animated 'Venom' movie will likely be able to depict a dark and gritty world from which Peter Parker remains absent
1 day ago
The lead of Netflix's hit drama 'Emily in Paris' will essay Audrey Hepburn in the movie, which traces the making of 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'.
1 day ago
Universal Pictures has decided to re-release the horror-action film starring Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, and Dwayne Johnson.
2 days ago
The Academy revealed the first presenters for the 98th Oscars, including recent winners, following an announcement by Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan.
2 days ago