Driver honored for saving toddler’s life
Beaumont (Calif.) Unified School District driver Jody Jermeay sees a toddler running down the sidewalk toward a car that is backing out of a driveway and pulls her bus across the driveway to block the car from pulling out. The child’s older sibling is able to move the boy out of the way just in time.
BEAUMONT, Calif. — The Record Gazette reports that Beaumont Unified School District trustees recognized Jody Jermeay, a driver for the district for 20 years, for saving a toddler’s life while picking up a student on her route on Jan. 14.
Jermeay told the newspaper that while getting ready to pick up a student in front of his house, she saw the toddler running down the sidewalk toward a car that was backing out of a driveway. After she was unable to get the driver’s attention by honking her horn, she pulled the bus across the driveway to block the car from pulling out.
The toddler’s older sibling was able to move the child out of the way, but Jermeay told the Record Gazette that it was a close call.
Trustees presented Jermeay with a certificate, and Superintendent Maureen Latham thanked her for saving the child from danger.
To read the full story, click here.
More Safety
School Bus Stop-Arm Violations Decline 53% Across Verra Mobility Programs
Verra Mobility shares how school bus stop-arm cameras and school zone safety programs are changing driver behavior, reducing violations, and protecting students.
Read More →
Most Bus Crashes Aren’t Your Fault. Here’s How to Prove It.
A guide for what to do in between a school bus crash and a claim: what to preserve, who to notify, and how to keep the facts available when they matter.
Read More →
National School Bus Safety Week 2026: Tips, Toolkits & Resources to Keep Students Safe
School bus safety takes more than awareness. Explore expert tips, enforcement strategies, and free resources to help protect students on every ride.
Read More →
2 Killed, Dozens Injured in Florida School Bus Crash
A multi-vehicle collision caused a Polk County school bus carrying 37 students to overturn on its way to Winter Haven High School.
Read More →
Illegal School Bus Passing Drops 24% in New York Districts
With fewer than 5% of citations involving repeat offenders, Westchester County officials said enforcement, education, and community partnerships are helping change driver behavior.
Read More →
School's Back. Here's What Happened to Traffic, Speeding & Distraction
What happens to traffic when school resumes? New data analysis examines changes in distracted driving, congestion, and speeding around schools.
Read More →
Geotab Expands Fleet Safety Tools With Video Coaching, Risk Insights
New safety and video capabilities aim to help fleet managers assess risk, support drivers, and take targeted action through video coaching, red-light violation detection, and more.
Read More →
How to Build a Better School Bus Driver Training Program
Is it time to strengthen your driver training? Here’s how to pick the right talent and improve recruitment, retention, and safety. This video is brought to you by IC Bus.
Read More →
Recent School Bus Accidents Leave 2 Dead, 2 Injured
Four school bus crashes in Florida, Illinois, and Georgia highlight risks in transportation lots, at bus stops, and during student loading and unloading.
Read More →
When Every Second Matters, Clarity Keeps Routes Moving
From routine delays to urgent incidents, strong communication practices help drivers, dispatchers, schools, and families respond with confidence.
Read More →