Dean was born April 14 at Warren General Hospital. He returned home Friday after an extended stay in Erie. Submitted photo

WARREN, Pa. — Four Warren County children had the opportunity Friday to meet their newest sibling.

The surprise introduction capped what has been a rather hectic week-and-a-half for Laura Peterson.

Her van — crucial to transport four kids all under the age of 10 — was totaled April 13 when lightning struck the KeyBank Building in downtown Warren. The strike sent bricks that make up a chimney atop the building cascading to the ground — and her vehicle.

Peterson was with her mom, who needed to run into the bank. “I was going to sit in the van and she talked me into going into the bank with her,” she said. “Five minutes later, the chimney fell on the van.”

Complicating the matter, Peterson was set to be induced into labor the following day and she had been experiencing contractions when the lightning struck.

“I had to find a ride to the hospital,” she said of the planned April 14 delivery. “It was 5 a.m. and I had to get a ride down there. That was interesting.”

She delivered a baby boy, Dean, at Warren General Hospital who developed breathing problems. Peterson said her son was breathing fast and his oxygen level remained low.

Dean was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Erie where he received specialized care.

The Women’s Care Center of Warren helped Peterson and her husband stay close to their newborn by assisting in the cost of a rental vehicle. That proved extremely helpful with daily trips between Warren and Erie.

But it was a difficult week-and-a-half, nonetheless. “It’s been emotional, stressful,” Peterson said.

After improving enough to be released from the hospital, Dean went home Friday.

“He’s doing much better,” Peterson said following a doctor’s appointment. “It’s going to be a surprise (for his siblings).”

A GoFundMe (https://gofund.me/8fe9e337) has been set up to help the family buy a new vehicle — one that will have to accommodate the newest addition. As of Friday, the fundraiser has brought in $2,200.