A heroic seventh grader saved the lives of his classmates after he took control of a school bus when the driver went unconscious behind the wheel.
Dillon Reeves, 13, was on his way home from Carter Middle School in Warren, Massachusetts, along with 66 other students when his bus driver became light-headed and passed out on Wednesday afternoon.
Surveillance footage showed the driver notifying others on her radio that she felt ‘dizzy’ and was going to pull over. Before she could stop, she then started to shake before slumping over on the steering wheel.
For several seconds the bus continued slowly straight until Reeves rushed to the front to take control. The brave student quickly found the brake pedal and parked the bus on Masonic Boulevard.
In the confusion, Reeves still had the wherewithal to tell his friends to call 911, video posted by WXYZ showed.
No one was hurt injured during the horrific incident but the students can be heard in the footage screaming as Reeves slammed on the breaks.
The bus driver was transported to a local hospital where she remains under care.
The Warren Consolidated School officials held a press conference to commend Reeves’ heroic act.
‘He stood up, he assessed the situation and saw that the driver had passed out. This was an extraordinary act of courage,’ Superintendent Robert Livernois said.
‘He jumped up from his seat, threw his backpack down, ran to the front and grabbed the wheel and brought the bus to a stop.’
Reeves didn’t speak at the press conference and humbly remained in the back.
The teenager’s proud parents spoke on behalf of him and praised him for his swift response.
‘Very, very proud. This is overwhelming for all of us. This is national at this point,’ His father, Steve Reeves, said. ‘He is very attentive to his surroundings.’
To honor and thank the 13-year-old for his emergency response, locals decorated his family’s front yard with a sign that reads ‘hero.’
When asked by his mother, Ireta, where he learned how to drive a bus, the teenager said, ‘I watched her do it everyday.’
The proud mother added: ‘He’s really a great guy this year. He’s come a long way. Great grades, experiences at school with friends. To do something like this fills my heart and makes my heart skip a beat.’
On Facebook, Ireta Reeves speculated that something else was at playing during her son’s actions.
‘Jesus had everything to do with the bravery and swift action Dillon displayed today. To Dillon, it’s just another day. He has no idea the amount of people who are so proud of him today,’ she wrote.
Reeves is expected to receive an award from the Warren Police Department.
