Off-Duty Medic 'Didn't Even Think Twice' about Helping Hit-and-Run Victim

MATTESON, IL — An off-duty medic who watched as a woman was run down by a driver Friday put his skills to use to save her life.

Joe Baber, 28, a paramedic with the Plainfield Fire Protection District, was in the car behind the party bus carrying 26-year-old Angela Celmer, of Channahon. The group was stopped in traffic en route to the Blink 182 concert at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, when the bus driver allowed passengers off to urinate in a field. Traffic crawled forward, then stopped again, and Celmer stepped off. Baber watched as an older model maroon Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo struck Celmer and pulled over momentarily. But it was just for a second.

"I wouldn’t want to say what he was thinking," Baber said, "but then he took off."

Baber spotted Celmer lying on the pavement, and moved his car to block the lane of traffic. He told friends in the car with him to call 911, and ran to her side. She wasn't breathing and had no pulse.

He began CPR, hoping to bring her back, knowing that help was on the way. Finally, she breathed and vomited. Her sister stepped in to help Baber clear the vomit from her airway. They pressed a shirt to a wound on the back of her head. Minutes later, emergency responders arrived. Baber secured her to a backboard and lifted her onto a stretcher. She was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where she underwent surgery. As of Monday evening, she remains comatose in stable condition.

The incident was outside of Baber's usual execution of duties, but he felt compelled to step up.

"We get a call, and we pull up," he said, of his usual duties. "You don’t ever see that happen in front of you. It’s not something you see.

"I didn’t even think twice. You see something like that, you want to do what you can."

He credits his friends and Celmer's sister for enabling him to stay focused.

"I reacted to what I saw, and although the situation was chaotic, I knew I had two of my best friends watching my back making sure I was safe."

Celmer is a beloved special education teacher. Friends have started a GoFundMe with hopes of raising $10,000. So far, donations have totaled $7,345. Support continues to roll in from friends, families—even former students' families.

"My daughter Alexis was a student of hers 2 years ago when she was a sixth grader," wrote one woman. "We are both praying for her. Hope they find that coward soon."

Information about the vehicle involved is limited at this time. The driver is described as a black male, 20-40 years old. Anyone with information regarding the striking vehicle should contact the Matteson Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at (708)748-5931.

photo courtesy of friends: Angela Celmer