Life
Boy senses something off about new bus driver calling 911
Itโ€™s a good thing he listened to his gut. He saved 30 kids by making the decision to call 911.
Rachael Butler
01.12.20

Parents all over the country put their faith into the adults in charge of their children when they send their children off to school. Parents are trusting all the adults in charge, from the bus drivers, teachers, and school staff. So, what could have ended with a parentโ€™s worst nightmare, was amazingly stopped by one child and not the adult.

Troy Luna, a fifth grader in Stanislaus County, California, saved himself and roughly 30 other students on the bus ride home from school. The students ranged from kindergartens all the way to fifth graders. Quickly, Troy and his fellow students realized that something was different with their bus driver, Carolyn Ray, that day. Troy smelled a weird and smoky smell coming from the bus driver, but that was not all.

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When the ride started Carolyn was speeding and swerving on the road. โ€œShe stepped on the brakes really hard, and a few kids flew and hit their head on the seats,โ€ Troy Luna explains. She also missed an important turn and continued to speed on the highway. It is important to note that Carolyn Ray, the bus driver, was a substitute bus driver from another district. Having a stranger driving erratically had to make it even scarier for the children.

โ€œI was like, okay Iโ€™m going to make the 911 call and I made the call, โ€œTroy Luna explained.

Some fellow students did not want him to make the call, but he followed his gut feeling that something was wrong. He knew something was not right, thankfully. When Carolyn Ray, the bus driver, dropped a student off at their home police officers pulled her over. She was taken outside the bus and made to take a field sobriety test. She failed.

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Carolyn Ray was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of drugs. Ray was further charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Troy Lunaโ€™s instinct and willingness to go against his peers, could have saved his life and the lives of all the students on the bus. One person was not surprised about this, Troy Lunaโ€™s mother, Collette.

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Troy Luna is a child with eight siblings. This is what makes his mother easily believe that he was the one to call. โ€œI see him looking out for the little kids as if he was looking out for his siblings,โ€ his mother admitted. To be able to say that, Troy must be one awesome brother to his siblings as well as a hero! Collette has to be one proud mom!

โ€œThe whole family is really proud of him,โ€ says Lunaโ€™s mom Collette.

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The parents of these students are not the only adults that were appalled by this terrifying situation. The school districtโ€™s superintendent, Phil Phillpot, stated that, โ€œitโ€™s disheartening and appalling,โ€ over what happened. Phillpot immediately met with the bus service, First Student, they have partnered with over the years to take about actions and steps needed to take to never let this happen again.

First student released a statement that let everyone know that Carolyn Ray was terminated, and an internal review is being conducted. They are also working closely with the police and since it is still an open investigation they cannot say anymore.

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