Aaron Gutierrez just might win the awards for husband and father of the year. In January, the Fresno, Calif., man saved his pregnant wife from being hit by an oncoming truck.
Terrible Ending To A Happy Day
The accident came at the end of a joyous day celebrating his son’s sixth birthday at a local restaurant.
Gutierrez, his mother, his wife and their three children were walking home from the bus stop on Jan. 5 after celebrating. Suddenly, a car ran through a red light and spun out of control, heading towards them. Gutierrez swiftly pushed his wife out of the way while holding their 1-year-old son.
“I heard a big bang, I looked over my shoulder and I saw the truck flying towards us, I looked at my wife, and it was heading right towards her direction,” Gutierrez told People. “I knew I was going to get hit, and I put my son as high as I could, and I got hit. Luckily enough, I played football for so many years so I was able to cuddle my son into my hands when I flew into the building. After that, I blacked out.”
Gutierrez And His Mother Hospitalized
Luckily, Gutierrez’s pregnant wife and their children did not suffer any major injuries—despite his wife being knocked unconscious. Tragically, Gutierrez’s mother suffered a brain bleed and a broken back. She’s still in the hospital but expected to be released soon. Doctors aren’t sure if she’ll be able to walk or work again, according to People.
Gutierrez himself sustained a broken shoulder and injured leg, and he told People while he’s using a walker at home, he still depends on a wheelchair when he goes out.
“This Could Be A Different Story Right Now”
Although Gutierrez is grateful that everyone’s lives were spared, he wished the driver had been more responsible.
“This could be a different story right now,” he told ABC 30. “He wasn’t paying attention and my kids could’ve been dead right now. It’s hard to think about that. You couldn’t just wait two seconds, you know.”
The 19-year-old driver was found at fault in the accident and may face a citation once the case is reviewed.
In addition to the accident, Gutierrez was recently diagnosed with testicular cancer and will begin chemotherapy soon. A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family to help them pay for medical expenses.
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Hero Groom Saves Drowning Child
Canadian newlyweds Clayton and Brittany Cook had just finished their ceremony at a park in Ontario back in September 2017 when they began taking pictures. The bride stopped to pose for a few solo shots, and that’s when the groom spotted a little boy struggling in a nearby waterway.
According to their photographer Darren Hatt’s Facebook page, Clayton jumped in without hesitation.
“While I was taking solo pictures of the bride this little guy was pushed into the river behind me by another child,” the photographer wrote. “By the time the bride noticed and shouted out, Clayton had already jumped down and brought him to safety.”
The stunning photos of Clayton’s rescue mission went viral—as people from all over the world—including celebs like Ellen Degeneres—applauded his quick thinking.
https://twitter.com/EllenD_world/status/915722267581145088
“For several minutes the kids were following us, and I was keeping a close eye on them because they were standing close to the water,” Clayton told the BBC of the rescue.
He quickly realized only two kids—there had been three—were standing on the rock ledge by the pond. That’s when he saw the boy in the water struggling to keep his head up.
“I was able jump down the rock ledge, and was just able to reach his hand,” Clayton said of pulling the boy to safety.
As for the bride, she told the BBC she was initially confused.
“I originally thought he had jumped in as a joke or something, and I thought ‘what are you doing?'”
Upon seeing the little boy it all became clear, and told CTV she wasn’t surprised her man had jumped to action.
“That’s Clay to me. It doesn’t even surprise me that that happened. That’s something he would instinctively do.”
Well, that’s definitely one way to make a splash on your wedding day.
Three cheers for both of these heroes.
RELATED: Parents have a sixth sense when it comes to their kids’ safety. Check out this superhero dad who saved two kids from being hit by an out-of-control car: