VENICE, CA – A Southern California father is being hailed as a hero after throwing his 2-year-old daughter to safety just moments before a pickup truck slammed into him, resulting in the loss of his leg.
A Split-Second Decision
The incident occurred in Venice when 38-year-old Jordan Stannard and his family were standing outside their parked vehicle. Suddenly, the driver of a pickup truck lost control, barreling directly toward Stannard and his toddler daughter, Sadie.
With only a fraction of a second to react, Stannard’s sole focus was protecting his child. He managed to throw Sadie safely into the cabin of his car just before the truck struck him. Bystanders immediately rushed to the scene, shouting for emergency services as paramedics were called.
Life-Altering Injuries
Stannard was rushed to a local hospital with severe injuries. Doctors were forced to amputate his left leg due to the impact.
Despite the devastating injury, Stannard expressed deep gratitude that his daughter was unharmed, stating that his primary focus remains on recovering so he can continue raising his two young daughters alongside his wife.
An Athlete’s Path to Recovery
An avid marathon runner and Ironman competitor, Stannard is approaching his rehabilitation with an athlete’s mindset. He is expected to be released from the hospital soon and will eventually be fitted with a prosthetic leg.
Determined to return to his active lifestyle, Stannard confirmed he still aims to compete in the 2027 Los Angeles Marathon, an event he had already registered for prior to the crash.
Community members have since set up a GoFundMe page to help the Stannard family cover mounting medical expenses and long-term rehabilitation costs.
