On October 7, 2020, disaster nearly struck in Hopewell Borough when a small child took control of his mother’s car. Thankfully, local teen Chloe Mangee was there in time to save the day.
While working her shift at Brick Farm Market, Mangee heard cries of help coming from the parking lot. A young boy had climbed out of his booster seat and into the driver’s seat, then managed to put the car out of park while his mother shopped inside Brick Farm Market.
As the car rolled through the parking lot, Mangee cried for help to the people eating outside but received no reply.
“When I had first realized that a little boy was driving his mothers SUV, I was in pure shock!” Mangee said. “I bolted to the car and got into it and managed to bring the little boy out of the car safely! It was a pure adrenaline rush to say the least. The only thing that came to mind was that I had to do something.”
Eventually, she was able to single-handedly free the boy from the car, even though it continued to roll into a nearby street.
“There were people sitting on the front patio enjoying their meals, and when I called for help, heads turned, but no one came to my aid. It wasn’t until I had brought the boy out of the car that someone in a nearby car in the parking lot came to see what was going on,” she said.
After this event, despite being a bit shaken, Mangee finished her shift at Brick Farm Market. Miraculously, no one was hurt.
When asked how the experience changed her, Mangee shared: “”It has taught me what I am truly capable of when I am needed and no one else will help. Even when I was screaming at the top of my lungs for someone to come and help, no one did. It made me feel strong and independent in a way. I am very happy that no one was hurt during this crazy situation!”
Submitted by Oscar Ellery, who is a student at Hopewell Valley Central High School. Ellery is an honors student in Language Arts and Social Studies. His future plans include writing, politics, and journalism.
