HOME / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Ron Nessman: Man hailed as 'hero' after he rescues baby rolling into traffic in stroller as woman slips and falls on ground

The terrible incident happened when a woman, later identified as the baby's great-aunt, suddenly slipped and fell to the ground, losing her hold on the stroller

HESPERIA, CALIFORNIA: A stunning video captured the moment a man in California stops an out-of-control stroller with a baby inside just before it almost rolls onto a four-lane highway after the woman carrying it stumbled and collapsed. The terrible incident happened on Monday, May 1, 2023, when the woman later identified as baby boy's great-aunt who was standing close to her car suddenly slipped and fell to the ground, losing her hold on the stroller.

A similar tragic instance involving errant strollers with infants inside happened in 2022. Miriam Palaguache was crossing the street with a baby in the stroller when Juan Medina-Cruz, 57, could be seen speeding through the intersection. The woman instantly used her reflex and pushed the baby out of the way within split seconds as she was struck by the car. 

READ MORE

Nicole Linton: Nurse who killed 6 in crash that ripped baby out of mother's womb says says she had 'lapse of consciousness'

‘One of the worst accident scenes’: Community heartbroken as five teens killed in horror crash, driver survives

Who is the good samaritan caught in the footage?

An alarming surveillance video that showed wind blowing a stroller down a long driveway in the high desert and straight onto a busy Hesperia road was posted widely on social media. The man who saved the infant child talked about the breathtaking intervention. The stroller can be seen beginning to slide down the driveway at A1 Hand Car Wash in the video. The great-aunt of the infant child tries to chase after it but falls on her knees.

Who is Ron Nessman?

"I heard screaming to the right," stated Donna Gunderson who was seated on a nearby patio when she heard the calls for aid. Gunderson notices her brother Ron Nessman rushing toward the stroller, which is also being pulled by strong winds blowing through the high desert at the time. The stroller was headed straight for Bear Valley Road. "The cars do 50-55 and it was a busy time of day," Gunderson said.

But, just as the stroller is about to hit traffic, Nessman grabs it. "I knew I could get it and I got it and I'm thankful for that because I really wouldn't want to see the end result if I wasn't there," he said, as reported by NBC.

'I thank my sister for helping me out'

Nessman was there since he had just finished a job interview at a nearby Applebee's. He was homeless for almost eight years before moving in with his sister, partly as a result of despair brought on by the death of his girlfriend. "I decided to get right. If you want something different in your life, you do something different and that's where I am at today. I thank my sister for helping me out. She's always been there for me," he stated.

'She tried everything'

Nessman is grateful that both the infant and his great aunt, who had damage to her knees, are doing well. "She tried everything she possibly could to get up. Her knees were bleeding when I got up to her. She was still shocked and she was crying," he said.

'I watched that with my heart in my throat'

The video has received over 20 million views. A user under the username @USSGoodGirl posted the video and wrote, "Windy AF here today and the stroller rolled away… Thank god a man catches the stroller before anything bad happens to this lady’s baby." Someone claimed, "Man it’s like one of those dreams where you can’t run!" "Oh my goodness.. I was panicked. How terrifying! Thank God for that man being there!" a user said.

Other users detailed how terrifying the incident is and blessed the hero. "Well, I watched that with my heart in my throat. God bless that man!" penned someone.

'Don't forget to lock the wheels'

According to Gunderson, everybody who pushes a stroller should take note of this terrifying video. "Don't forget to lock the wheels on hills or even on windy days. Just as simple as hitting the brake," she said. Nessman claims he is still looking for work and is hopeful that a potential employer will read this and give him a chance.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.