Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

"Miracle Baby" Dies


By

Jen Chung

Published Aug 22, 2008

Modified Aug 22, 2008


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Jen Chung

Published Aug 22, 2008

Modified Aug 22, 2008


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

The Daily News visited the premature baby of the traffic agent killed by an out-of-control van last week. Sean Michael Justin Sanz was born 2 months premature, "but doctors say he's a fighter and is expected to live." The father, Rafael Sanz, is mourning his wife Donnette's sudden death, "She was looking forward to the birth so much. That's all she would talk about was her son."

But he reflected on how an estimated 30 people lifted a school bus to free her, "If Donnette were here now, she'd be really happy that so many New Yorkers tried to save her. I want to thank them too. They always will be in my heart." The van's driver, who did not have a license, was charged with criminally negligent homicide.

Update Now it's reported that baby Sean Michael has passed away; the News reports a traffic agents union official said, "They just pulled the respirator. They might bury him with the mother." Too sad--Donnette Sanz's funeral is planned for Monday.

And the Daily News had featured Sean Michael on its cover, but now the cover appears to have reverted to a version without him on it.

Tagged

bronx

Donnette Sanz

miracle baby

premature baby


Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

Man dragged to death by Subway in Brooklyn after getting caught on closing doors

The rider’s backpack got stuck during Monday’s rush hour commute

By

Brittany Kriegstein

Published Sep 29, 2026 at 7:46 a.m. ET


Upper East Side braces for affordable housing fast track, and backlash from residents

A new land-use approval process could make it easier for developers to build larger apartment complexes in one of the city’s wealthiest, most densely populated neighborhoods.

By

David Brand

News

Upper East Side braces for affordable housing fast track, and backlash from residents

A new land-use approval process could make it easier for developers to build larger apartment complexes in one of the city’s wealthiest, most densely populated neighborhoods.

By

David Brand


Plan to modernize NYC's diesel-spewing produce market falls apart under Mamdani

By

Elizabeth Kim

Central Park birders, others remember 63-year-old woman killed in park

By

Charles Lane

Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says

By

Liam Quigley


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .