Baby delivered in car at closed Knoxville PureMagic Car Wash
A couple pulled into a PureMagic location on the way to the hospital when labor progressed too quickly, and the father delivered their daughter in the vehicle.
By The Car Wash News Staff
2 min read
A PureMagic Car Wash location in North Knoxville became the site of an unplanned birth on July 20, when a couple rushing to the hospital pulled into the parking lot and delivered their baby girl in their vehicle.
According to reporting from Auto Laundry News, Sarah and Ivan Powers were en route to the hospital when Sarah's labor advanced rapidly, prompting them to stop at the PureMagic location on Old Broadway. After calling 911, Ivan delivered their daughter, Laiklynn, before emergency responders arrived. Both mother and baby were later taken to the hospital and reported to be healthy.
An unexpected safe stop
The car wash was closed when the family pulled in, but the site offered a well-lit, safe place to stop during the emergency. The newborn picked up the nickname "Bubbles" in a nod to the circumstances of her arrival.
Kevin McBride, director of operations in Knoxville for MOJO Family of Brands, the parent company of PureMagic Car Wash, said the company was glad the location could help. "We're thrilled to hear that both mom and baby are doing well," McBride said, adding that no team members were onsite at the time but the company was grateful the site provided a place to pull over. He extended congratulations to the Powers family.
Why it matters for operators
This is a feel-good local story rather than an operational event, but it carries a practical reminder for owners about how their sites function within a community even when closed. A car wash lot is often one of the more visible, accessible, and well-lit properties on a commercial corridor, which is exactly why a family in distress chose it. Operators who invest in good lighting, clear signage, and safe, easy-in access are building an asset that serves the neighborhood around the clock.
There is also a reputation angle. A quick, warm response from the brand turned an incident that had nothing to do with the wash's services into positive regional coverage and community goodwill. Operators should have a simple plan for responding to unexpected news tied to their locations, whether that involves a company spokesperson, a prepared statement, or a designated manager. A measured, human reply, like the one MOJO offered here, protects and even strengthens local perception.
Finally, stories like this underscore the value of local media relationships. Being ready to confirm facts, express goodwill, and let a genuine moment speak for itself costs nothing and delivers the kind of authentic community presence that paid marketing cannot easily buy.
