Couple Delivers Firstborn in Car on South Carolina Highway

First-time parents Eric and Miranda Stoner welcomed their baby boy in the passenger seat of their Honda CR-V.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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For first-time parents Eric and Miranda Stoner, the journey to meet their new baby boy didn't end in a hospital room. Instead, it happened on the side of a South Carolina highway, parked outside of the Williams Pit Stop restaurant, after Miranda's water broke while they were driving.

Why it matters

This unexpected birth highlights the importance of being prepared for any scenario when going into labor, as well as the quick thinking and resilience of parents faced with an emergency situation. It also showcases the vital role first responders play in ensuring the health and safety of both mother and child in these types of situations.

The details

The Stoners were on their way to the hospital when Miranda's water broke at a red light. With no time to make it to the hospital, they pulled over in the parking lot of a nearby restaurant and contacted their midwife and 911. Before first responders arrived, the couple delivered their baby boy, Cooper, in the passenger seat of their car. Slater-Marietta and Glassy Mountain Fire Departments, as well as Greenville County EMS, arrived shortly after and helped transport the family to the hospital.

  • On February 26, 2026, the Stoners were driving to the hospital when Miranda's water broke.
  • The couple delivered their baby boy, Cooper, in the parking lot of the Williams Pit Stop restaurant.

The players

Eric and Miranda Stoner

First-time parents who delivered their baby boy in the passenger seat of their car on the side of a South Carolina highway.

Cooper Stoner

The newborn baby boy delivered by his parents in the car.

Slater-Marietta Fire Department

The fire department that arrived on the scene to assist the family after the unexpected birth.

Glassy Mountain Fire Department

The fire department that arrived on the scene to assist the family after the unexpected birth.

Greenville County EMS

The emergency medical services that arrived on the scene to assist the family after the unexpected birth.

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What they’re saying

“We kind of came up to a red light to get onto Highway 25. The light went red, and as we were braking, her water broke.”

— Eric Cooper, New Father

“It was just a million miles an hour, everything happened so fast. She's tougher than I am; she took it really well.”

— Capt. Chandler McMakin, Slater-Marietta Fire Department

What’s next

The Stoners and their newborn son Cooper are currently recovering at the hospital, where doctors have confirmed that both mother and baby are healthy and doing well.

The takeaway

This unexpected birth story serves as a reminder of the importance of being prepared for any scenario when going into labor, as well as the critical role first responders play in ensuring the safety and well-being of parents and newborns in emergency situations.