On Wednesday, Dillon Reeves, a seventh grader at a school in Michigan, became a hero after he safely stopped his school bus when the driver passed out. The incident occurred at 2:59 p.m. local time when the driver, who was feeling dizzy, pulled the bus over. However, as she slowed the bus down, she lost consciousness, and the bus was still moving. Dillon, who was sitting about five rows back, immediately sprang into action.
The young hero threw his backpack down, ran to the front of the bus, grabbed the steering wheel, and slowly applied the brakes before the bus could veer into oncoming traffic. Once the bus was stopped, Dillon yelled to his classmates, “Someone call 911. Now!”
Dillon’s quick thinking and brave actions did not go unnoticed. “In my 35-plus years of education, this was an extraordinary act of courage and maturity on his part,” said Warren Consolidated Schools Superintendent Robert Livernois at a news conference on Thursday. The school board is planning to hold a commendation ceremony for Dillon soon.
The driver is currently in the hospital undergoing testing and monitoring, and must be screened for drugs, according to Livernois. The driver, who was hired last July, had no previous history of fainting and had passed a required medical exam.
Fortunately, there was light traffic on the road at the time of the incident, and the bus was not damaged. A man walking down the street and a woman two cars behind the bus came to help after the incident. The man checked on the driver, while the woman led the children off the bus through the rear so they would not interfere with responders.
Dillon’s parents, who are a health and safety supervisor and community nurse, respectively, said their son has often ridden on his lap while he drives and has driven golf carts in the past. They are incredibly proud of their son’s bravery. “Dillon, he’s really been a great guy this year. He’s come a long way. He’s surprised us with great grades and his performances at school, with friends, with peers, and to do something like this just fills my heart,” said Ireta Reeves, Dillon’s mom.
Dillon has aspirations of becoming a police officer or a professional hockey player. While he may not know what the future holds, one thing is for certain – he is a true hero who saved the lives of his classmates and driver.