Venice, Los Angeles – In a split-second act of bravery, 38-year-old Jordan Stannard threw his 2-year-old daughter Sadie into the safety of their family car moments before a runaway pickup truck slammed into him, costing him part of his left leg but saving his child’s life.

The incident occurred approximately two weeks ago (mid-June 2026) at the intersection of Venice Boulevard and Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, Los Angeles. The Stannard family had just finished grocery shopping and was loading their vehicle. While his wife placed their infant daughter on the other side of the car, Jordan was securing Sadie when he spotted the truck barreling toward them.

Stannard recounted the terrifying moment to local outlets including KTLA, ABC7, and CBS LA: “My first thought was, ‘Get Sadie into a safe place,’ so I basically threw her into the cabin of my car.” He remembered the truck striking him directly, twisting his body. Looking down, he saw his left foot had been severely mangled.

Bystanders screamed and immediately called 911. Doctors at UCLA Medical Center determined that the trauma to his left foot and ankle was so severe that amputation below the knee was necessary. His right leg sustained lesser injuries.

Despite the life-altering injury, Stannard remains remarkably positive and grateful. “If you told me, ‘You just have to trade your foot to be with your daughters for the rest of your life,’ that’s a trade that I would make all day long,” he said, fighting back tears. He credits his wife as the “engine that drives our family” and expressed deep appreciation for the overwhelming support from friends and loved ones, including over 100 hospital visitors.

An active athlete who ran marathons and competed in Ironman events before the crash, Stannard is now focused on rehabilitation. He aims to run the 2027 Los Angeles Marathon with a prosthetic. “I want to get right back to doing the same things that I was doing before,” he said. “I have two daughters, so you have to do what you have to do to get back to holding your daughters and chasing your kids around.”

The family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help cover significant medical expenses, rehabilitation, a prosthetic, adaptive equipment, and lost wages. The page, seeking $120,000, has already raised nearly $118,000 as of early July 2026.

The story of this devoted father has gone viral, inspiring widespread admiration across social media and news platforms. Many have hailed him as a true hero, proving that real superheroes wear everyday clothes and act out of pure parental love.

Jordan Stannard is expected to be discharged from the hospital soon and continues his recovery surrounded by family. His ordeal serves as a powerful reminder of resilience, the unbreakable bond between parent and child, and the importance of community support in times of crisis.