Steering-wheel hero

Girl is mom's hero

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Emily Lineberger missed her gymnastics class last week, but thanks to the 11-year-old's steering-wheel heroics, her mother survived what could have been a tragic car wreck.

Emily was riding in the back seat of the family car when her mother, Dayna Lineberger, started feeling lightheaded. Ulcerative colitis had caused Lineberger to feel faint before, so she decided to get food at a nearby restaurant.

"The last thing I remember is screaming to her, 'Tell me where to turn,' because I couldn't see," Lineberger said.

Lineberger's head rolled back and she passed out.

"I just screamed like crazy," Emily said. She leaned forward and grabbed the wheel. Her mother's foot was still on the gas pedal, but Emily steered to avoid a car before their car hit a telephone pole and stopped -- unharmed.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2007