Driver credited with saving boy from illegal bus passer
Michigan school bus driver Jayce Dempsey spots an SUV approaching his bus on the right as 9-year-old Casey is preparing to disembark, so he grabs him and pulls him up the stairs as the motorist passes the bus. Casey’s mom, Robin Dunn, tells news outlet mlive.com, “I just want as many people as possible to know this man saved my son’s life.”
FRUITLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A bus driver for a local school district is being credited with saving the life of a young student as he was preparing to disembark his bus, according to a story on mlive.com.
During a recent afternoon route, Jayce Dempsey was transporting 9-year-old Casey home, and he stopped in front of the boy’s home for him to exit. Dempsey had activated the bus’ flashing red lights.
As Casey started down the steps, Dempsey checked his right-side mirror and saw an SUV approaching the bus on the right, so Dempsey yelled “Stop!” and pulled Casey up the steps. The SUV passed the bus on the right — between the vehicle and the driveway of the boy’s home.
Casey then relayed the incident to his mom, Robin Dunn. “I just want as many people as possible to know this man [Dempsey] saved my son’s life,” Dunn told the news outlet. “He deserves to be recognized for that.”
To read the full story, click here.
Other news related to illegal bus passing:
More Safety

How To Build a More Secure School Bus Yard During and After Hours
As thefts and overnight security threats continue, school transportation leaders are combining stronger operational practices with AI-enabled surveillance to better protect buses, facilities, and staff.
Read More →
FMCSA Names New Chief Safety Officer: What School Bus Operators Should Know
Steve Dowling is set to lead the federal agency's efforts to advance commercial motor vehicle safety and reduce crashes, fatalities, and injuries on the nation's roadways.
Read More →
New Study Finds School Zone Speed Safety Cameras Cut Speeding Violations 97%
A Florida university's research demonstrates that Verra Mobility's automated enforcement changes driver behavior and significantly improves school zone safety.
Read More →
What Changed in DOT’s New National Roadway Safety Strategy?
The federal agency's new plan shifts its focus to safer people, roads and vehicles, with a new three-pronged approach instead of five. One outlined action even addresses a key industry concern around illegal school bus passing.
Read More →
Are Autonomous Vehicles Ready to Safely Navigate School Bus Stops?
NHTSA is accelerating autonomous vehicle deployment through new safety standards and commercial approvals. See why school transportation leaders are watching.
Read More →
NFL Star Lomas Brown Kicks Off New Illegal School Bus Passing PSA
Just in time for the back-to-school season, the former Detroit Lions offensive tackle took time to record a video encouraging motorists to slow down around school buses.
Read More →
How Two Texas Districts Built Award-Winning Safety Programs
Learn how Prosper ISD and Rockwall ISD earned National Safety Council honors through hands-on training, safety culture, and strategies that reduced transportation incidents.
Read More →
NHTSA Releases 10-Year Review of Fatal School Bus Crashes
The latest federal analysis reinforces the safety of school buses while identifying where school-age pedestrians and other motorists remain most at risk.
Read More →
2026 NASDPTS Survey: Data Shows Further Reduction of Illegal Passing
New data is in! School bus stop-arm passings are down to 38.4 million violations per year, about a 2.3% decrease from last school year — but passings on the right side of the bus are higher than ever.
Read More →
Another School Bus Fatality Reported in Monsey, New York
A 7-year-old girl died after being struck by a school bus in Rockland County, New York while crossing the street. Here's what we know.
Read More →
