School buses are one of the safest ways to transport kids in any county or state. Or at least they are supposed to be.
As we’re about to find out, however, a bus is only as safe as its driver.
Not all families have a car, and not all parents have the time to drive their kids to and from school. That is why these bus companies must hire someone that can assure the kids’ safety and security.
But no matter how they safeguard that, there are some cases that these students are put in danger.
We heard some horrible stories of bus incidents, from accidents to crime. It’s awful and would make us think twice about letting our kids take the school bus.
This story almost ended up in a horrible situation. But thanks to one little hero, everyone was safe.
Heroes come in all ages, and this fifth-grader is no exemption.
Troy Luna was studying in 5th grade at Bonita Landing Elementary school in California. His heroic deed came that on Monday afternoon as he stepped on the bus with the rest of his schoolmates.
He noticed something wrong with their new bus driver.
Troy said that he caught a weird smell from their bus driver when he entered the bus and walked through the aisle. Some “smokey and weird smell.” He went on and sat in his seat, but that smell did bother him.
But as soon as the bus took off, the driver started speeding and swerving.
Troy saw how this erratic driver was harming the other students. Some students bumped their heads on the seats in front of them.
He could also sense fear among the other students. Troy knew he should do something to save all of them.
That’s when he made a 911 call from the bus.
When the bus stopped to drop off one of the students, the police were already waiting to arrest the bus driver.
Karolyn Denise Ray of Patterson was a substitute bus driver for First Student, the company contracted by Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District for the schools’ transport services.
First Student management sent their supervisor to drive all the kids safely back home.
Karolyn was charged with Driving Under the Influence and Child Endangerment.
After this incident, she was terminated from her job, while the transport service company ensured that they would observe stringent measures in employing bus drivers. After all, they are responsible for the safety of the district’s schoolchildren.
On the other hand, Troy was hailed a hero that day.
California Highway Patrol officer Thomas Olsen and Newman-Crows Landing Superintendent Randy Fillpot had nothing but praise for Troy’s heroic act.
They were amazed how his judgment made him call 911 and saved the rest of the students on the bus.
Troy’s mom was proud of what he did.
She described this act as something her little boy would do when looking out for his siblings. She was also proud that among all the students on the bus, it was Troy who made that call.
We hope this doesn’t happen to other students again, or we could only hope there are other kids like Troy out there to save the day.
To learn more details on Troy’s heroic act, watch the video below!
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