MIRAMAR, FLA. (WSVN) - Miramar police honored nine people, Tuesday, who helped a pregnant woman and her two children who had been injured by an alleged drunk driver six weeks ago.
Michelle James was waiting at a bus stop on South University Drive, near Pembroke Road when, police said, a woman drove into them.
Miramar Police Chief Dexter Williams recognized the nine good Samaritans with a certificate of appreciation.
“On that day we had a group of citizens that came out and spoke out and took action,” said Williams.
It was around 5 p.m., on the first Saturday in May when, police said, Jessica Crane was driving drunk, erratically and speeding. One of the nine people honored, Shaquana Brinson, said her car was almost hit by Crane.
“She swerved, and that’s when she hit the victims,” said Brinson. “So once my boyfriend saw them go up in the air, I was like, ‘Oh, wow, we have to turn around and help.'”
They found a pregnant Michelle James and her two children injured on the ground. Brinson and her daughter comforted them while they waited for paramedics. Other witnesses followed Crane, who had sped away from the scene.
“From that moment, that’s when I went, ‘Oh, no, she’s not going to get away with this,'” said Cristal Garcia, “and I just followed her.”
Ramon Rodriguez said they wound up blocking off Crane’s car with their own. He said they thought James was dead, but she, her 3-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter survived. Her unborn baby, however, did not.
“You know, you just got to do the right thing,” said Rodriguez. “I got daughters, everybody got families, it wasn’t easy.”
James was not at the ceremony, as she continues to recover from her injuries.
Crane is now facing 17 charges, including vehicular homicide.
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