While icy roads made driving treacherous for many motorists Tuesday morning, one man was pulled off to the side of the road dealing with another situation -- the birth of his son.
Just after 5 a.m., Matt Strasser was driving his pregnant wife, Dayita, and their 18-month-old son on Interstate 97 to Anne Arundel Medical Center. The family was just minutes away, but the baby couldn't wait. Strasser pulled over near Hawkins Road and called 911.
"The baby was coming out pretty fast," he said. "My wife says she pushed maybe three times total and the baby was completely out."
While his 18-month-old son cried in the background, Strasser relied on the help of Anne Arundel County firefighter and 911 dispatcher Kyle Leichling while paramedics rushed to the scene.
At 5:04 a.m. in the front seat of Matt Strasser's SUV, the newest member of his family entered the world weighing 7 pounds and 2 ounces with no complications despite all of the drama. Paramedics arrived a short time later.
Mother and baby were resting comfortably Tuesday afternoon while Dad reflected on the momentous morning.
"I could hardly believe that everything worked out the way it did, that there was just not one thing wrong, except where he come out," he said. "Everything else seemed like he did it by himself."
