A Michigan high school student has received praise from many classmates and teachers after successfully stopping a school bus before it could cause an accident. The driver has just had an accident, and she can no longer steer the device.
Dillon Reeves, a first grader at a school in Warren, near Detroit, had to act quickly when he noticed his driver wasn’t in his usual condition. In what the superintendent of Warren Unified Schools called an “extraordinary act of courage and maturity,” the young teen was certainly in the right place at the right time.
The driver reportedly became “dizzy”, escorting young school children home on Wednesday afternoon. She quickly called the Central Bus Service to tell them she was unwell and immediately tried to pull the car to the side of the road while waiting for the transport department to send someone to replace her. However, she was unable to get where she wanted to stop.
Sitting about five seats away from the driver, Reeves immediately stood up, lunged to the front of the bus, and grabbed the steering wheel. This is how he was able to stop the car in the middle of the street, all in a general panic.
Security videos released by law enforcement show the young boy grabbing the steering wheel, slowly applying the brakes and shouting to the other passengers, “Someone needs to call 9-1-1. Now. Someone should call 9-1-1.” I don’t give a damn! Someone needs to call 9-1-1!” according to information reported by CNN.
Police and firefighters quickly responded to the call. They appeared on the scene within minutes. No injuries were reported among the passengers, but it was clear that 66 of them were shaken by their adventure.
The condition of the driver, a 40-year-old woman, is “stable”, but precautions have been taken. The fire department said she was taken to the hospital for an examination. She was able to communicate with first responders during the assessment.
Dillon Reeves’ parents also wanted to congratulate their “little hero”.
“We are very proud of him,” said Father Steve.
The students ended up being transferred to a different bus to continue their journey after the accident.
