Officers hailed as heroes for saving baby of woman ejected from car

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) - An infant is alive following a deadly crash in Cape Girardeau thanks in part to two police officers.

According to the Cape Girardeau Police Department, Lt. Brad Smith and Cpl. Cary Dunavan were the first on scene of a fatal crash on Interstate 55 on May 11.

When they got there, Smith and Dunavan found a pregnant woman who had been thrown from a vehicle and was suffering from 'mortal injuries.'

Instead of waiting for EMS to arrive, the two officers started providing CPR to the woman until other first responders arrived.

The woman was rushed to the hospital for an emergency c-section to deliver the baby girl, ultimately saving the infant's life.

Sadly, the mother, Sarah Ann Iler, did not live, according to Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Clifton.

In a post on GoFundMe, family says Iler was 39 weeks pregnant with Maddyson.

Doctors tell police Smith's and Dunavan's immediate actions helped preserve the life of the child until they could perform the c-section.

As of Tuesday, May 17, family said on GoFundMe that Maddyson is in critical condition but makes improvements everyday.

The Cape Girardeau Police Department calls the officers heroes for what they did, and went above and beyond the call of duty.

"In that moment when life and death was being decided by mere seconds, they, without hesitation, acted quickly to save another's life," the department said in a statement. "Their dedication to the sanctity of life and commitment to the preservation of life are to be highly commended. The Cape Girardeau Police Department is both honored and humbled to have men of this caliber among our ranks."

Chief Blair presented Lt. Smith and Cpl. Dunavan with a commendation on Tuesday.

In response, both officers said, "We were just doing our job."

Family is raising money for Maddyson because Iler did not have life insurance. You can donate by clicking here.

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