Good Samaritan Rescues Pregnant Woman From Sinking Car — Hours Later She Gives Birth

February 10, 2026

A frightening crash in Florida turned into a story of courage, quick thinking, and new life after a passing driver jumped into a pond to save a pregnant woman trapped in her sinking car.

Logan Hayes was driving to work near Interstate 95 in Martin County when he spotted a car sinking in a pond.

Logan Hayes / Martin County Fire Rescue

Hayes didn’t think twice. He plunged into the cold water, swimming 30 feet toward the car as it began to fill fast.

“I could see her sitting in the driver's seat and just kind of looking around like what do I do, and I just said, ‘You have to come to me,’” Hayes said.

Seconds were all he had. The car was sinking fast, but he reached in and pulled the woman out through the back door.

“I grabbed her, I knew immediately… ‘Oh my God, this lady is pregnant.’”

With Hayes’ help, she made it to shore. First responders arrived moments later, rushing her to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital as paramedics worked to stabilize her.

A local news station later revealed the woman he rescued, Sheldy Apollon, was 34 weeks pregnant.

Apollon later explained that she had been dealing with preeclampsia and began feeling dizzy while driving that morning. She tried to pull over but suffered a medical emergency.

“I got back on the road, but I guess I wasn't feeling better, so I tried to pull over again and I went into a lake,” Apollon said. “I started to feel some water on my feet, so I started to panic a little.”

What began as a terrifying morning turned into a day of miracles.

Just hours after the rescue, Apollon gave birth to a baby girl, Ivory Atara Sulley, who arrived weighing 3 pounds and 14 ounces. Remarkably, the baby was born on her mother’s birthday—the same day as the crash and rescue.

“Now that we share our birthday — our bond is just tighter than ever,” Apollon said.

Apollon’s fiancé, Woodley Sully, reflected on everything that happened in a single day:

“The only way I can explain this is God… You just have to believe… my girls are here, so I’m grateful.”

Hayes, who has been thanked repeatedly by the family, said he’s still processing the experience.

“All the things that are positive, it's just like wow. Crazy to feel like I'm a part of something like this.”

Apollon was expected to be released from the hospital while baby Ivory remained in the NICU for a short stay as she continued to grow stronger. When Apollon finally got to hold her daughter, the moment was unforgettable.

“Having her hands touch me and feeling her heartbeat, it was surreal,” she said.

Watch the video below: