A 13-year-old boy is being hailed as a “little hero” after he took control of his school bus and brought it to a safe stop when the driver passed out, according to officials.
Dillon Reeves, a student at Carter Middle School, was riding the bus with 66 other students in Michigan when the driver suddenly lost consciousness. As the bus veered toward oncoming traffic, Dillon quickly rushed to the front, applied the brakes, and stopped the bus on a busy road.
As the driver notified the transportation office that she needed to pull over, Dillon jumped into action. Video footage shows the moment the driver began fanning herself and Dillon shouting, “Someone call 911. Now!”
Local officials praised Dillon’s quick thinking and courage. “In my 35-plus years in education, this was an extraordinary act of courage and maturity on his part,” said Robert Livernois, the superintendent of Warren Consolidated Schools. “It was a good day for us.”
The cause of the bus driver’s illness is still unknown.
Dillon’s parents expressed their pride in their son. “We’ve got a little hero,” his father, Steve, said. “He’s been driving country roads with me since he was 4 years old… He’s a good driver.”
Dillon’s mother also shared her pride on Facebook, saying, “He is home and everyone is okay all thanks to Dillon!!!” To Dillon, however, it was just another day, unaware of the many people proud of his bravery.
