School Bus Driver Saves Student from Being Struck By Vehicle

CARSON CITY, Nev. — A school bus driver here has been honored for saving one of his passengers from being hit by a vehicle that failed to stop for the bus.

Greg Hoeger, a driver for Carson City School District, received a certificate of merit from the district and its board of trustees at a school board meeting on Dec. 11, according to a news release from the district.

Richard Stokes, the district's superintendent, said during his report to the board that Hoeger used the bus's horn to warn the student of the approaching vehicle. Kimberly Ponczoch, the mother of the student, Jinnie Ponczoch, witnessed the incident and said she was impressed with Hoeger’s ability to take the initiative to warn her child of the potentially fatal situation.

“I didn’t do anything different that most of our drivers do every day,” Hoeger said. “I mean, we’re out there in that traffic, and it is tough. It’s really tough. The best we can do is just be alert, make sure our equipment is safe and try and get the children home…as best we can.”