Second baby in two days born on shoulder of Hwy 24

LAFAYETTE, Calif. -- A baby born on the side of state Highway 24 in Lafayette this evening was the second such high-speed freeway delivery in the area in less than 48 hours, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The latest baby boy was delivered on the righthand shoulder of eastbound state Highway 24 near the Interstate Highway 680 interchange around 5:30 p.m., according to CHP Officer John Fransen.

Fransen said that the father, who was driving his pregnant wife to a hospital, pulled over to the side of the highway when he realized his wife was delivering.

The birth was the second to occur on that same stretch of road in the past two days, after another baby boy was delivered Wednesday shortly before 7:30 a.m. on state Highway 24 near Acalanes Road.

Firefighters, CHP officers and paramedics all responded to the scene of today's birth, and Fransen said CHP officers are trained to assist in childbirth when needed.

"We always encourage people to dial 911 so we can get the appropriate resources out there to handle the situation, and it sounds like that's what the dad here did," Fransen said.

Both babies and mothers are doing well, Fransen said.