Assisting drivers is one of the many things troopers do on the Turnpike daily.
However, Trooper Robert Ravotto, Detective I Jason Kazan, Trooper II Robert Ciecwicz, and Detective Robert Kilmurray rendered a different kind of assistance yesterday, when they assisted with the swift delivery of a baby girl on the southbound side of the New Jersey Turnpike.
The expecting mother was being driven by her husband to a doctor's appointment, when her water surprisingly broke (prior to her due date).
The couple stopped at milepost 106.5 where they called 911 and waited for responding troopers and first aid.
Troopers Kazan, Ciecwicz, and Kilmurray arrived at 2:43 p.m., where they successfully delivered a baby girl just two minutes later, at 2:45 p.m.
As they provided first aid to both, Trooper I Robert Ravotto, a certified EMT, arrived to assist. Trooper Ravotto immediately tied the umbilical cord, wrapped the baby in a blanket, and cleared her airway. The troopers continued to provide first aid to both until the first aid squad arrived, which was delayed due to traffic conditions.
Mom and baby were transported to University Medical Center in Newark where they were last reported as doing well.
All of the assisting troopers were commended by University staff for their efforts, which helped prevent mom and baby from going into shock due to the cold and windy weather conditions.