Dad Is Recovering After Brave Rescue Saves Daughter From Oncoming Truck
In a movie-like moment, a California dad loses his leg saving his daughter from an incoming truck. The dad, Jordan Stannard, was standing outside his vehicle with his two-year-old when the car came racing toward them. With almost no time to think, he threw the toddler into their car just in time.
Dad Loses Leg Saving Daughter
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Not a second later, the pick-up truck slammed into his body.
“I just remember everyone around me screaming,” he said. “Some people were screaming, ‘Call 911!’”
At the hospital, he had to have his left leg amputated. He’s grateful that the accident wasn’t worse and that his two-year-old, Sadie, is safe. If he hadn’t thrown her in the car, her life could have been lost.
“I have two daughters, so there is no decision. You have to do what you have to do to get back to holding your daughters and chasing your kids around, to helping your wife out with raising the kids,” the 38-year-old said.
Along with Sadie, he has a two-month-old daughter, Shae.
A Can-Do Attitude No Matter What Hits Him—Even if It’s a Truck
Despite losing his leg, hurting his right foot, sustaining other injuries, and being only weeks into recovery—which requires five hours of physical therapy every day—he's determined to get back to his normal life and run in the 2027 Los Angeles Marathon, which he registered for before the accident happened.
Amazingly, Jordan was released on July 4th and said he’d be back in the gym by last Monday.
The family currently lives in a three-story condominium and now has to find handicap-accessible housing. A GoFundMe organizer said, “Even with health insurance, the financial burden ahead will be significant. Rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, housing needs, and time away from work will create substantial challenges for the family.”
The GoFundMe for the family has already raised over $121,000 in a short time.
It’s wonderful that Jordan can have such a positive attitude after losing a limb and that he has gotten so much support in such a short time. Hopefully, now the family will be mentally and financially well-prepared for what’s ahead of them.
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h/t: KTLA
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/KTLA 5
Michaela Gordoni is an avid reader and part-time globe-trotter. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and experience in the non-profit world, she has a passion for people and reporting. You can check out her portfolio here.
Originally published August 06, 2026.
