Mayor Ron Case, Police Chief Matt Sackett, Duane Hookom, Molly Menton, Fire Chief Scott Gerber

At last night’s City Council meeting, Eden Prairie resident Molly Menton received a Letter of Recognition for saving the life of a man who experienced a cardiac event June 8, 2023, while driving in the Nesbitt Preserve Park parking lot.

That afternoon, the park was full of people celebrating the dedication of new park equipment. After the dedication ceremony, Ms. Menton noticed a van rolling slowly through the parking lot toward a crowd of people on the grass. The driver appeared to be slumped over and unresponsive.

Ms. Menton ran to the van, opened the front passenger door and laid on the passenger seat while using her hand to activate the brake. She kept her hand on the brake until firefighters opened the driver’s side door and shifted the car into park.

First responders then pulled the man from the vehicle and diagnosed him to be in full cardiac arrest. After 3 minutes of AED shocks and CPR, the man was able to breathe on his own.

Chief Gerber, Molly Menton, Duane Hookom; first responders Ret. Asst. Fire Chief Kurt Buchanan, Officer Tino Starke

According to Police Chief Matt Sackett and Fire Chief Scott Gerber, Ms. Menton acted decisively and courageously with little regard for her own safety to save the van from rolling into bystanders. Her swift thinking and actions prevented a potentially serious tragedy and allowed first responders to gain quick access to the victim. In cardiac events, every second counts and Ms. Menton’s actions gave first responders valuable time to start providing care to the victim.

The driver of the van, Duane Hookom, was in attendance last night to thank Ms. Menton.