Jonesboro Uber driver gives a life-saving ride

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - For Shauntez Allen, Valentine’s Day was supposed to be filled with couples celebrating the holiday in her Uber, but one incident and a chance encounter changed everything.

“Breathing was really loud at first, and then it got so shallow that it was like barely above a whisper, and she was to me, fading away, and I was just like, lord please keep me calm enough to get her where she needs to be so I could at least save her, I was trying my best,” said Allen.

A normal Valentine’s Day for Shauntez Allen in her Uber, ready to shuttle people from place to place on the holiday.

Arkansas State University Student Mary Mashburn did not feel well, and due to an existing health issue, doctors told her to go to the hospital if she ever had a fever.

“I knew I wasn’t feeling well enough to drive myself, but at the time, there was nothing emergent. I was not showing signs of any life-or-death situation at the time I called for the Uber,” said Mashburn.

Allen picked her up but instantly knew something was off.

She could hear Mashburn struggling to breathe, so Allen decided to take her straight to the hospital.

The only thing Mashburn could do was nod.

While driving, Mashburn’s breathing continued to fade.

“Basically, she stopped breathing in the back of my car, and I had to scream her name, Mary, wake up, like I am clapping, screaming, hollering, hey I need you to get up, wake up, wake up,” said Allen.

“Mashburn went into anaphylactic shock.

Allen called ahead and told the hospital they were on their way.

Once there, Allen went inside and told them she needed help because Mashburn was barely breathing.

Doctors put Mashburn on a ventilator for a few days.

Allen would call in to check on Mashburn until she was finally able to go in and see her.

“When she looked at me, I said, do you remember me, and she said yes,” said Allen. “I wanted to cry right then, but I didn’t. To see that she remembered me and to know who I was, and for her to thank me and reach out to me like a baby, you know how a baby reaches out, we held hands until she dozed off.”

Mashburn doesn’t believe any other situation would have kept her alive.

“Without her, I probably wouldn’t have made it,” said Mashburn. “I have never dealt with any kind of anaphylactic issues before, so it was completely random, and I don’t think an ambulance would have made it in time.”

Allen continued to see Mashburn in the hospital, and now that she is out and has moved back with her parents, the two still stay in touch.

A friendship forged from an Uber driver being at the right place, at the right time.

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