A 7th grader in Warren, Michigan is being hailed as a hero after his quick thinking averted a disaster aboard a school bus.
Lois E. Carter Middle Schooler Dillon Reeves hurried to grab the steering wheel and slam on the brakes as the bus was veering towards oncoming traffic, moments after the bus driver began feeling light-headed and lost consciousness.
Bus-mounted camera footage revealed the driver losing control, and Reeves jumping into action from a full five rows back, before shouting to his classmates to call 911 immediately.
Warren Consolidated Schools Superintendent Robert Livernois explained the situation in a news conference and said “I could not be prouder of his efforts.”
“He had the wherewithal to push it [the brake] slowly, likely in anticipation that the bus was full of passengers,” added Livernois, saying that it was “an extraordinary act of courage and maturity.”
After feeling lightheaded, the driver said on the intercom she was going to pull over for a moment, but never arrived at the pull-off area, and instead began to drift into the oncoming lane.
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Dillon’s mother Ireta Reeves was understandably beaming with pride while her son was honored at the news conference.
“To do something like this, fills my heart, makes my heart skip a beat, to even watch that video again, I’m just… I can’t even express the proudness. I’m extremely proud of him.”
