Jordan Stannard was struck in Venice after pushing his 2-year-old daughter out of the path of an out-of-control pickup.
LOS ANGELES — A 38-year-old father is recovering after losing his left foot and ankle while saving his 2-year-old daughter from an out-of-control pickup truck in Venice.
Jordan Stannard was loading his daughter, Sadie, into the family’s car near Venice Boulevard and Abbot Kinney Boulevard when a GMC truck crashed into a Mercedes SUV and then veered toward them. Stannard pushed the girl into the car before the truck struck him, leaving him with severe injuries.
Sadie was not hurt. Stannard’s wife was nearby with the couple’s newborn daughter, Shae, when the crash happened. Stannard said he heard the first impact and had only seconds to react as the truck came toward the family’s parked car.
“I literally just threw her into the car,” Stannard said. He said he remembers the truck hitting his body and twisting him around before he fell to the ground. His left foot was badly injured, and doctors later amputated his left foot and ankle.
Stannard also suffered injuries to his right foot, though they were less severe. He is recovering at UCLA Medical Center and is expected to continue rehabilitation before being fitted for a prosthetic. Family supporters said the injury has changed the daily needs of the household, including housing and mobility during recovery.
The crash ended a routine family outing. Stannard had been at a grocery store and was helping his daughter into the vehicle when the pickup came toward them. Witnesses described a sudden and chaotic scene after the truck hit the SUV and then continued toward the family.
Stannard, a former marathon runner and Ironman athlete, said he is trying to stay focused on his family and recovery. He said he does not want his daughters to remember him as angry or defeated by the crash.
“There’s no room for feeling bad for myself or being angry,” Stannard said. He said saving his daughter was a choice he would make again, even with the injury that followed.
A fundraiser created for the family has drawn broad support as Stannard prepares for months of medical care, rehabilitation and changes at home. Supporters said the family may need a temporary single-story home because their current residence is not well suited for his recovery.
Stannard has said he hopes to return to training and eventually run the Los Angeles Marathon with a prosthetic. For now, his recovery remains focused on healing, rehabilitation and adjusting to life after the amputation.
Author note: Last updated July 2, 2026.