Baby born in SUV on way to hospital in Fuller Park

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A mother gave birth on the side of the road on Chicago's South Side Monday morning.

The baby boy made his arrival inside an SUV near 43rd and Dearborn streets in the Fuller Park neighborhood.

"I have been through labor before so I thought we were OK on time," said mother Tenisha Wilkins.

The couple was on the Dan Ryan Expressway, about 10 minutes out from UIC Medical Center when it became clear baby Miller was not going to wait any longer.

"All of a sudden, contractions were coming faster and faster and I told Marshall, call 911 we're not gonna make it," Wilkins said.

So dad, on the phone with an EMT, got off the expressway, trying to keep it together while Miller was being born as they were still driving.

"She's screaming, the baby's screaming, I screamed. It was just too much excitement in one place," said Marshall Rambert.

Rambert pulled his SUV over near West 43rd and South Dearborn streets, where an ambulance met up with them. The 6-pound, 11-ounce baby already minutes old.

Despite the excitement, mom and baby were fine.

"You just never think it's going to be you delivering your baby on the way to the hospital," Wilkins said.

The family is catching its breath at Mercy Hospital, but thankful about the new blessing in their lives.

"I love her and I'm glad she did a good job," Rambert said.

The couple has two other children, a 6-year-old and a 4-year-old.