A mother’s worst nightmare nearly came true while on the road with her children earlier this month—but then, her angel wearing a badge arrived on the scene.
Charlotte County Sheriff’s Deputy Dave Musgrove doesn’t normally work nights, but on this particular late evening, on Thursday, Feb. 8, he was patrolling near Englewood, Florida.
It was dark, around 7:30 p.m. He was driving in the right-hand lane along South McCall Road, near Spinnaker Boulevard, when he was passed by a speeding motorcyclist—who had just moments to live.
Approaching from behind, the motorcycle zipped by him, moving at what the officer guessed to be about 100 miles per hour. As both vehicles continued down the road, they approached the intersection at Regina Drive.
Within seconds of his arrival at the intersection, it was obvious that the motorcycle had collided with a car near the median. Closing one lane with his cruiser, he activated his emergency lights and notified dispatch about the crash.
“My initial reaction was trying to find the motorcyclist,” Deputy Musgrove told the station. “But then I heard Kayleigh screaming.”
The crucial moments that followed were captured on his body camera. Though some consider what happened to be a miracle, others might find the heart-stopping footage hard to watch.
A mother, Kayleigh Foley, and her two babies were trapped inside the car that had been hit by the motorcycle. As Deputy Musgrove is seen approaching, her desperate screams can be heard, calling for him to save her two baby daughters.
Her 3-year-old is still alive in the backseat. The officer manages to free her, yet he cannot leave the little girl unattended at the busy intersection while continuing to save the family.
Speaking to Fox News later, he expressed gratitude for two bystanders who stopped, a mother and a man named Hunter, who held the toddler as he continued rescuing the family.
Ms. Foley is heard hysterically pleading for her 6-month-old, who is still trapped in the back seat. Deputy Musgrove finds her in the car seat—trapped under the body of the deceased motorcyclist inside the car.
After managing to free the baby from the wreckage, the deputy’s work is not done yet. He finds the infant isn’t breathing and begins chest compressions on her while bystanders hold back the terrified mom.
Finally, the tense moment gives way to hope as Deputy Musgrove hears the 6-month-old take a deep breath. Just then, EMS arrives.
EMS take over the lifesaving efforts and soon detect a pulse, immediately informing the waiting, worried mother.
Though in critical condition, the baby is doing well. Only time will tell, however, whether there are any impacts caused by traumatic brain injury.
Recently speaking to Fox News, Ms. Foley shared an optimistic update about her 6-month-old: “She is actually doing really good right now, she can open her eyes and move her legs, and she’s recognizing us, so that’s a blessing.”
Also talking to the host, Ms. Foley’s mom called the incident “the worst thing I’ve ever been through in my life.”
Yet, she had words to describe the deputy who appeared so fortunately to rescue them that night.
“I’m so grateful, Dave’s our hero,“ she said. ”He always will be.”
