Ohio Snowplow Driver Helps Ambulance Reach Sick Baby During Storm

ODOT worker Joe Estes cleared a path for the ambulance to safely transport the child to the hospital.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 2:47pm

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During a powerful winter storm in Ohio, an Ohio Department of Transportation snowplow driver named Joe Estes cleared snow for an ambulance transporting a sick baby to Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Estes drove his snowplow in front of the ambulance to clear a path, allowing the ambulance to safely reach the hospital despite the dangerous road conditions.

Why it matters

This story highlights the critical role that snowplow drivers play in ensuring public safety during severe winter weather, especially for emergency vehicles transporting those in need of urgent medical care. Estes' actions likely saved the baby's life by enabling the ambulance to reach the hospital in time.

The details

When the ambulance team transporting the sick baby boy named Bryson said they might not make it to Cincinnati Children's Hospital in time due to the deep snow and ice, the hospital asked ODOT for help. Estes responded by driving his snowplow in front of the ambulance, maintaining a steady speed so the ambulance could follow safely. The normally 15-minute drive took nearly 30 minutes because of the weather.

  • On Sunday, a powerful winter storm hit Ohio.
  • The ambulance was transporting the sick baby Bryson to Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

The players

Joe Estes

An Ohio Department of Transportation snowplow driver who helped clear a path for an ambulance transporting a sick baby to the hospital during a winter storm.

Bryson

A sick baby boy who was being transported by ambulance to Cincinnati Children's Hospital during the winter storm.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

The hospital that asked ODOT for help after the ambulance team said they might not make it in time to get the baby the care he needed.

Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)

The state agency that employs snowplow driver Joe Estes.

Mike DeWine

The Governor of Ohio who praised Estes' actions.

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What they’re saying

“'I got a phone call and they said 'we've got a sick baby and we need to get there, we're losing our window of time,''”

— Joe Estes, ODOT Snowplow Driver

“'Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.'”

— Gordon Edgar, Grocery Employee

What’s next

Hospital staff later said Bryson and his family were doing well after reaching Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

The takeaway

This story highlights the critical role that snowplow drivers play in ensuring public safety during severe winter weather, especially for emergency vehicles transporting those in need of urgent medical care. Estes' actions likely saved the baby's life by enabling the ambulance to reach the hospital in time.