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11-year-old leaps into driver’s seat to take ill grandma to safety
I couldn't believe how calm he was! Not all heroes wear capes, but some do drive.
Naomi Lai
09.15.20

Not just anybody can remain calm in an emergency situation. It’s hard not to panic when a high-pressure scenario comes out of the blue, especially if you’re untrained or inexperienced in how to respond.

But some people know how to kick it into high-gear in the face of danger.

And PJ Brewer-Laye from Indiana is living proof that age and experience have nothing to do with it. Some people are just naturals!

This 11-year-old boy immediately recognized that his grandmother, Angela was in trouble when she was struggling to stand up on their walk. The two loved to get outside and would frequently walk around the neighborhood together.

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YouTube Screenshot

They were out one afternoon when Angela’s vision started to blur, she started shaking, and feeling dizzy. She felt so weak that she needed to rest against a traffic sign for support, and they were still more than mile away from home.

Without missing a beat, PJ did what he had to do to get her to safety.

“I was leaning against the stop sign and all of a sudden I look to my right, and I see my car — my Mercedes-Benz coming towards me. Just in an easy, calm manner, it was coming towards me.” -Angela, PJ’s grandmother

Moments before, he had been playing in his go-kart – one of his favorite means of transport when exploring the neighborhood.

He usually rides alongside his grandma while she’s out for some exercise.

Unsplash, Diego Gavilanez
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Unsplash, Diego Gavilanez

Those go-kart driving skills certainly paid off, because he was able to use them in a high-pressure situation.

He whipped around and took it home, then grabbed the keys to his grandma’s car – a sleek Mercedez-Benz.

Unsplash, Gabriel Sollman
Source:
Unsplash, Gabriel Sollman

“I looked in the car. It was him — it was PJ.” – Angela

He helped her into the vehicle and took her straight home.

But it wasn’t just the go-kart experience that allowed him to make the smooth turns and even reverse the vehicle. His grandpa sometimes called on him to help park the cars in the driveway or move them around on the private property. Under supervision, on private property. Don’t worry!

And that life experience really paid off.

He stayed incredibly calm behind the wheel of the car, on the open road for the first time. And he kept a safe, respectable speed instead of racing there, like many of us may have done in the same situation.

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YouTube Screenshot

I don’t know about you, but I was incredibly anxious when I took my first driving lesson – this kid just skipped that step entirely.

“He drove me home and pulled in the driveway. And when I say he pulled in the driveway so precise, because my driveway is kind of narrow … He didn’t go up the curb, in the grass, nothing.” – Angela

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Angela couldn’t be more proud of her grandson and his quick thinking in her time of need.

Even though she was feeling so ill, she still managed to record his driving.

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His heroic actions felt like a miracle to her at the time.

“He’s an extra special little boy and he doesn’t ask for anything in return.” – Angela.

She’s proud, I’m proud, you’re proud. Everyone liked that.

And of course, Angela made it home and is doing just fine. Her grandson even ran to get her some glucose tabs and peanut butter crackers to level out her blood sugar.

Unsplash, Sarah Gualtieri
Source:
Unsplash, Sarah Gualtieri

It seems like no coincidence that he just happened to choose the shiny Mercedes. Angela has other cars which were also in the driveway at the time, but he made a very tasteful choice.

Wouldn’t you do the same?

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YouTube Screenshot

This kid may have a future as a paramedic – I would certainly trust him behind the wheel of any ambulance I was in! Or if that’s not up his alley… maybe a go-kart driver.

And of course, the internet loves him.

The story went viral and people all over the world are sending him praise.

It’s well deserved!

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YouTube Screenshot

Watch the moment this young hero rescued his grandmother by clicking below!

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