BRYAN, Ohio — A shocking sequence of events unfolded in Bryan, Ohio, on December 1st, when a 9-month-old boy, strapped in his car seat, was ejected from a speeding minivan during a police chase.
According to investigators, the incident began when police officers confronted the child’s father, 32-year-old Zachary Chervenka, in the parking lot of a Walmart. Chervenka had an outstanding warrant, prompting the officers’ arrival.
Body camera footage captured the moment the pursuit began. As Chervenka’s girlfriend loaded groceries into their minivan, an officer approached, saying, “Zach. How’s it going?” Chervenka immediately sped away, leaving her behind.
“He is running!” the officer exclaimed.
Inside the minivan were Chervenka’s infant son and his 5-year-old daughter. Dashcam video recorded the officer reporting, “He’s heading southbound on South Main. High rates of speed, juvenile in the car.”
The pursuit escalated, with speeds reaching up to 100 miles per hour. An officer reported, “I think he blew a tire. We’re heading southbound on 127. Be advised, the door’s open.” As the minivan rounded a curve, the unthinkable happened. The car seat carrying the baby boy flew out of the vehicle, bouncing several times.
Detectives confirmed the minivan’s door was not closed when Chervenka fled. The chase ended shortly after, due to deteriorating weather conditions.
However, as Chervenka attempted to evade capture, he contacted the baby’s mother, providing her with the location of his children. His daughter was dropped off at a friend’s house, but it took officers an hour to locate the infant.
The baby boy was found, still in his car seat, on the side of a busy highway, awake and crying. Bodycam footage captured the emotional reunion as the infant’s mother found her son and held him.
“Oh, baby boy, baby boy,” she is heard saying in the bodycam video.
An officer could be heard saying, “On the curb on 127, at the stop sign with that child.”
Medical professionals reported that the infant’s body temperature was critically low, potentially life-threatening had he been exposed to the elements for much longer. Authorities subsequently apprehended Chervenka at a nearby apartment complex. He was charged with endangering children. He told officers he was scared and admitted he made a dumb decision.
