Community Corner

Winnetka Man Saves Kids in Runaway Car

Dr. Jeff Eadie, a Winnetka dentist, received a Meritorious Citizenship Award from the Winnetka Police Department for his heroic actions.

Dr. Jeff Eadie, a Winnetka dentist at Hubbard Woods Dental Group, was walking home from The Grand with his three children a couple weeks ago when he heard a woman scream. He then saw a black Mercedes rolling backward at the intersection of Elm Street and Rosewood Avenue, with one child attempting to crawl out of the backseat and another child in the car.

Eadie ran alongside the vehicle and was able to get into the driver's seat and apply the parking brake, saving the children from a possible tragedy.

"I didn't even think," Eadie said on Thursday. "I saw it and something clicked. I told my kids [afterward] that if you see something, just do what you can."

Eadie received a Meritorious Citizenship Award Thursday from the Winnetka Police Department for his heroic actions in saving the two children.

Many Winnetka police officers attended the award ceremony for Eadie.

"It's been my honor ... to know many heroes, and it's my pleasure today to know another one," said Winnetka Police Chief Patrick Kreis.

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Kreis explained that children's mother stepped out of the vehicle with the two kids - ages 6 and 8 - in the backseat. The car had a keyless start feature, so it was able to start with the driver outside of the vehicle. The police are unsure what caused the car to begin to roll backward down Elm Street. The vehicle did sideswipe another car, but there were no injuries.

"[After the incident] We got a knock on our door, and a couple of officers stopped by to say thank you," Eadie said. "An officer said to my kids, 'Your dad did a courageous thing, he's a hero.' It's pretty neat for your kids to be told that."

Kreis noted that Eadie is the first citizen to receive the Meritorious Citizenship Award since he took over as Police Chief two years ago.


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