VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB/Gray News) – A UPS driver who helped save a grandmother passed out in her driveway says he has forged a lifelong connection with her, visiting her in the hospital weekly and thinking of her as his own family.
UPS driver Raheem Cooper was on his normal route in August when he stepped out of his truck to find an elderly woman passed out in her driveway in Valdosta, Georgia. He called 911 and made sure she got help before continuing his route. Many saw it as an act of heroism, but Cooper saw it as an opportunity to build a lifelong connection.
“I told her at that moment, she was grandmother now, so we are pretty much family,” Cooper told WALB.
The woman was checked into the hospital as Jane Doe and later identified as Marie Coble. Doctors say she suffered a subdural hematoma from falling onto the pavement, according to a GoFundMe set up for the family.
Coble underwent emergency brain surgery and is starting to return to normal. Doctors told the family if it hadn’t been for Cooper, she wouldn’t have survived, according to her granddaughter, Kayla Cochran.
“I found his number and called him and told him thank you, that he was truly an angel to our family to have found her because if he didn’t, she would have died that day,” Cochran said.
Since the incident, Cooper has stayed in contact with Coble and her family, visiting her in the hospital weekly to bring her favorite snack: Twinkies.
“Five days after the surgery, she hadn’t talked at all,” Cochran said. “When he came into the room, she brightened up and actually pushed herself up and gave him a hug. It was the first hug she’s given since this whole thing has happened.”
Determined to continue helping, Cooper started a GoFundMe to raise money for Coble’s medical expenses and her family’s travel.
“Most of her family is coming from out of state to visit her and everything, so I felt like it could take a lot off of the family. I just wanted to be a helping hand for them,” Cooper said.
Coble’s family is currently focused on her recovery and getting her back in her own home.
Last week, Cooper received a letter from UPS’ chief executive officer for his act of heroism along with tickets to the Florida State University football game from a co-worker. The local UPS warehouse gave him a luncheon and presented him with a plaque.
