Infant Rescued After Body Lands On Her During Crash: FL Sheriff

EDITOR'S NOTE: Body cam and dash cam footage that Patch has linked to with regard to this matter may be difficult to watch. Use discretion.

ENGLEWOOD, FL — A Charlotte County deputy is being credited with saving the life of a 6-month-old baby girl who was found underneath the body of a motorcyclist who had slammed into her family's SUV and died in the crash.

Meanwhile, thousands of dollars have been raised for the infant's recovery. Since the crash, at least $61,000 of $100,000 has been raised to help the girl recuperate at a St. Petersburg children's hospital. A GoFundMe was established by family friend Peggy Coates to assist mom, Kayleigh, and her daughters, Ariel, who is 3, and Lola, who is 6 months.

Authorities say Charlotte County Deputy Sgt. Dave Musgrove was on South McCall Road near Spinmaker Boulevard around 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 8, when a motorcycle sped past him at 100 mph.

Then, seconds later, authorities say a cloud of dust and smoke appeared ahead of Musgrove near the median of Regina Drive. Musgrove neared the scene, realizing the motorcycle had crashed with a vehicle at the intersection.

He activated his emergency lights and notified dispatch of the crash, authorities said.

What the Footage Shows

The body cam and dash cam footage released by the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, spanning 4 minutes and 32 seconds in total, shows Musgrove as he approaches the scene. The video is graphic in nature.

Musgrove is heard telling dispatch on his radio that he had to "find" the motorcyclist who had crashed.

He is then seen exiting his patrol car, passing by the shattered motorcycle. As he approaches the second vehicle in the crash, he noticed the SUV is occupied.

"As he approached, he observed the motorcyclist, deceased, wedged into the rear window on the driver’s side of the vehicle. As Sgt. Musgrove rushed to check on the victims, he heard Kayleigh yell to him, pleading to help her children," authorities said in a news release.

In the video, Musgrove is seen running around the back of the vehicle and opening the rear passenger door before removing Ariel from her booster seat as she cried.

He is then seen using his flashlight to flag down a pickup truck, asking for assistance with the girl.

"Come help me, please," Musgrove tells the male driver.

The driver exits and holds Ariel at Musgrove's request. Then, Musgrove returns to the vehicle to retrieve the 6-month-old baby, Lola, — all while her mother remains frantic in the front seat.

Authorities say the infant was trapped underneath the motorcyclist who had died in the crash. The baby, who was in a car seat, was unconscious and non-responsive, authorities said.

"At this time, some bystanders approached and helped to move the motorcyclist off of the infant and cut the seat belt so that Sgt. Musgrove could remove the car seat and check on the baby. The infant had no pulse and was not breathing," authorities said.

Authorities added in the footage that extensive damage made freeing the car seat a struggle.

Musgrove was seen performing lifesaving measures on Lola.

"Is she alive," her mother is heard hysterically asking Musgrove.

As Musgrove conducts chest compressions on the baby, authorities say Lola deeply inhales.

"I just heard her breathe," Musgrove is heard saying in the video.

Emergency medical personnel arrives and is heard confirming to Musgrove that the baby had a pulse.

“The actions of Sgt. Musgrove are to be commended. His poise and calm demeanor in a scene of chaos and tragedy ultimately saved the life of a beautiful child," Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummel said in the release.

"I want to thank the bystanders who came to his aid, as well, allowing him to focus on the immediate need of the baby. This was a senseless accident that resulted in a life lost, but it would have been two lives had Dave not been there. Still, I offer my thoughts and prayers to the friends and family of the motorcyclist and I ask that you keep this mother and her children in your prayers.”

The motorcyclist who died in the crash was not identified.

"All Sounds Good"

Coates said the father of the young girls involved in the crash recently died before the infant was born. She noted the family has undergone other recent battles, as well.

The infant suffered skull fractures, and brain swelling has caused seizures, Coates said. Meanwhile, her mother had gall stone surgery, Coates said.

The infant's sister, also involved in the crash, suffered minor cuts and bruises, Coates said.

"I’m hoping the family can at least reunite soon. If any of my St Pete peeps can help in ANY WAY, it would be so much appreciated! I know initial reports stated only minor injuries to this family, but I got all these details directly from the family, and they are hurting and could really use help, healing and PRAYERS," Coates said in the GoFundMe.

As of Monday, Coates reported the infant had no seizures and "all sounds good."

"Please pray for continued progress and that the extubation tomorrow goes well. Thank you for donating and sharing the cause to help this family heal physically, mentally and financially," Coates said in an update Monday.

WTSP spoke with the family of the infant, whose grandmother told the outlet that Musgrove "will always be our hero."

"My entire family, we have undying gratitude to this man," Lisa Foley said to the outlet.