Maple Heights Hero Saves Unconscious Motorist, Ensures Community Safety

Moneka LewisPhoto byMoneka Lewis

Maple Heights, OH. - Recently, a local woman saved an unconscious motorist from harm while guiding other motorists to safety.

Maple Heights District One resident Moneka Lewis and her family have lived in Maple Heights for six years. They are a quiet couple who work, come home, raise their children, and stay out of the way. "We keep to ourselves. We don't get involved with much because our lives are busy. We are homebodies. Every once in a while, I like to get away and spend time with friends," says Lewis.

On Thursday, May 30, 2024, Lewis found herself in a life-saving position. Lewis and her friend made plans to have dinner. Her friend picked her up around 6:00 p.m. As they were heading out, the friend who was driving was behind a white Mazda SUV. The vehicle appeared to be stalling. "My friend blew her horn at the car while saying, I bet the driver is probably texting and not paying attention. After waiting behind the Mazda for about a minute, my friend slowly went around the vehicle. As our car moved, I looked in that car because it was suspicious that it had just stopped past the stop sign @Longvale and Dunham and had not turned in either direction onto the main road. I noticed a woman slumped over. I asked my friend to pull over immediately, and I jumped out of her car and ran towards the Mazda," said Lewis.

The woman in the MazdaPhoto byMoneka Lewis

As hundreds of motorists travel throughout Maple Heights, OH., it is very rare that incidents like this have occurred in the City of approximately 22,632 residents; one would not expect this kind of outcome. Lewis stated that a woman was behind the wheel of the Mazda. Lewis stated that the woman appeared unconscious and smelled of alcohol. "I saw a woman who looked unconscious, and I feared for her life!! On top of that, the thought of her car rolling further out into the busy road would hurt others. I did not know the woman personally other than she was probably someone's mom, sister, aunt, friend, or coworker, and at that moment, she was my neighbor," stated Lewis.

"Thinking quickly, she jumped into action when she noticed a woman slumped over in her running car to save a woman's life … ignoring her safety," said Maple Heights Mayor Annette M. Blackwell.

After shutting off the woman's car to ensure safety, Lewis called 911 and asked for Emergency Medical Services. She then stayed with the woman to monitor her health. At the same time, she and her friend directed traffic.

Maple Heights EMS, the Fire Department, and the police assisted. "I am proud of the way our emergency service handled the situation. We stayed on the scene until they placed her in the EMS truck. At that time, we felt comfortable leaving in the hope of her getting help and her vehicle being in the position of the Maple Heights Police," added Lewis.

Safety matters in all communities. Communities are made up of a group of people groups of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society.

Moneka Lewis has a strong message for all of us. "We should care about each other. Caring for one another is what makes a community - our neighborhoods thrive. If you see a stalled car, it's safe; please help - slow down or stop and help the driver. Please don't assume they have a phone and have called for assistance. Don't ignore cars idling in odd places. We must be aware of what's going on in our neighborhoods to maintain safety. As long as we look out for one another, we can create safe environments for our family, neighbors, and children," said Lewis.

"Mrs. Lewis is a devoted wife and loving mother; now she is a local hero! We are grateful for her courageous action," added Mayor Blackwell.

Brown on Cleveland, we salute Moneka Lewis for her bold and courageous willingness to serve the Maple Heights community!