ASHEBORO, N.C. —
A theft investigation Monday led to a police chase and a crash involving two women and a newborn baby. Several good Samaritans jumped into action after hearing commotion near the courthouse in Asheboro, including two people at a law office and a registered nurse.
What started as a quiet Monday morning on Cox Street turned into a scary sight when one bystander heard a crash and then a woman screaming for her baby.
“If it was me in that situation, I mean, I would want somebody out in the crowd to come help make sure everything is okay, especially with a child,” said Quennie Rodriguez.
She said something in her gut told her she had to help after hearing a woman yelling “my baby” in Spanish after hearing a loud crash. It led her to find a car with two women, and a two-month-old baby inside had been hit by a U-Haul van.
“The bumper was flown off,” Rodriguez said. “They were thrown on top of the curb. And from where their car landed to where the van was, he had to be going pretty fast because other witnesses say that he spun out to go at least another 100 feet down the road.”
Along with other witnesses, she stepped in to help — translating what happened to the first responders. The two women had minor injuries, but the baby was completely unharmed.
“They were grateful that the child happened to be strapped properly in her car seat because she came out perfect and she was still asleep,” she said. “It’s like nothing happened to her. Everything was perfect on her. Not one hair out of place.”
Asheboro police told WXII that officers were trying to stop the driver of the U-Haul after a report of a woman stealing from a Walgreens nearby and taking off in the van.
Investigators identified the driver as Matthew Rivenbark and the passenger as Jenna Andrews. Both suspects face charges including possession of methamphetamine, larceny and traffic charges.
Rodriguez said as a mom herself, the crash was a reminder to look out for your surroundings and to always wear your seat belt.
“Even though you might be the best driver on the road, that doesn’t say the person behind you is,” she said. “Make sure your children are properly fastened, especially the babies that are in their car seat for a reason.”
Rodriguez said the two women in the car reached out to her after the crash to say thanks for her help. They told her they are all doing well, including the baby. She doesn’t know who the other good Samaritans were, but said she is thankful they were there to help as well.
