For a snowplow driver named David Gehrke, February 12 started just like any other day. David was heading out before dawn at 4:00 a.m. and the temperature outside was about 5 degrees Fahrenheit. He said that he was starting to plow his area with his wing light on when he shined his light toward the sidewalk and curb area. Just as he passed Kilbourn Avenue, he saw something on the sidewalk. The man says that at first, he thought it was a large dog or a deer, but it was something far more concerning: a living creature that is not adapted to being outside on a cold day.
It was a little boy in pajamas. He didn’t have on a jacket or hat. David said that as he drove by, the little boy looked at him. When the man drove back, he realized that the little boy also wasn’t wearing any shoes, although his zipped-up PJs did have footed bottoms. David did what most of us would do, which is scoop the little boy up and wrap him up in his own jacket. Then he put the child in his truck and blasted the heat while he called the police. While they waited for the police, the little boy explained that his parents weren’t at home and he wanted to go see his grandfather.
When the police showed up with three squad cars, David was able to get back to work. However, he had a day that he’ll never forget, he says. Had he not seen the child when he did, the little boy, Maddox Pierce, could have easily frozen to death. His mom, Brittany Weissenburger, is very grateful that David showed up when he did. While she had gone to work, Maddox’s 14-year-old aunt was babysitting him. No one counted on the little guy getting up and going outside in the snow. For her part, Brittany says that she’s been “a mess” since it happened because she never imagined Maddox would do this. You just never know with kids.
No criminal offense was committed, the authorities say. David will be presented with an award for saving Maddox, but he said that his greatest reward was handing that little boy over to the police and knowing that he would be safe.
