Baby Arrives Early--on Freeway

A girl born on the freeway early today with the assistance of Los Angeles County firemen was reported in good condition at Harbor Hospital.

Fire Capt. Ray Haskell and two other firefighters, washing down a gasoline spill on the 605 Freeway in Bellflower after a suspected hit-run driver’s car overturned, teamed up to help deliver Martha Perez of a 5 pound, 5 ounce daughter. The father, Art Perez, was trying to get his wife from their Hawaiian Gardens home to a hospital, but the baby wouldn’t wait and was born just before Perez spotted Haskell’s fire truck, brought his car to a halt and asked for help.