12-Year-Old Steers to Safety When Grandfather Dies Behind the Wheel

A 12-year-old New Jersey girl steered a car to safety when her grandfather died at the wheel with his foot on the accelerator.

Miranda Bowman and her 63-year-old grandfather Paul Parker were returning to Bowman's Burlington Township home Tuesday after spending the day racing go-karts at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville when Parker died suddenly while driving.

Bowman tells The Burlington County Times that her grandfather told her he didn't feel well and that he was scared before closing his eyes and putting his head on the glass -- his foot still on the accelerator.

"I didn't know what to do. I took off my seat belt and slid over to put my foot on the brake, but I couldn't stop it," Bowman told The Times.

The quick-thinking girl continued to pump the breaks and steered the vehicle safely toward some bushes.

"It sounds weird, but I saw people do this on TV," said Bowman.

The vehicle eventually came to a stop thanks to some trees.

Bowman was not injured in the crash.

Her grandfather, who suffered from a chronic heart condition, died of heart failure.