School Bus Driver Recounts Fire Evacuation, Gets Big Gift on ‘Ellen’ Show

In the weeks since she evacuated her passengers from a bus fire, Renita Smith has been lauded by students, school officials, and others. Now, Ellen DeGeneres adds to the accolades with a hefty reward.

Thomas McMahon・Executive Editor

October 6, 2016

School Bus Driver Recounts Fire Evacuation, Gets Big Gift on ‘Ellen’ Show — Renita Smith, who evacuated 20 students when her bus caught on fire, was recently recognized in an assembly at Glenarden Woods Elementary School. Screenshot from Prince George’s County Public Schools video

2 min to read

Renita Smith, who evacuated 20 students when her bus caught on fire, was recently recognized in an assembly at Glenarden Woods Elementary School. Screenshot from Prince George’s County Public Schools video

GLENARDEN, Md. — In the weeks since she evacuated her passengers when her school bus caught on fire, Renita Smith has been hailed a hero by students, school officials, fire departments, and even the Baltimore Orioles.

On Monday, Ellen DeGeneres added to the accolades with a hefty reward.

Smith, a school bus driver for Prince George’s County (Md.) Public Schools, was transporting 20 elementary school students on Sept. 12 when the incident began. Authorities said that the fire appeared to have originated near one of the rear wheels and spread throughout the bus.

A local resident said that Smith evacuated all of the students and then went back onto the bus to make sure it was clear. No injuries were reported in the incident.

Smith was recently recognized in an assembly at Glenarden Woods Elementary School. Students cheered and held up “THANK YOU!” signs, a marching band played, and school district CEO Dr. Kevin Maxwell lauded Smith for her actions.

“I saw the smoke and the flames, and she showed her unthinking, unflinching courage in making sure that all 20 students were safely off that bus,” Maxwell said during the assembly.

On Monday, Smith appeared before a national audience as a guest on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Smith told DeGeneres about the school bus fire and how she evacuated her “babies,” as she calls her passengers.

Having learned that Smith is a single mother who lives “paycheck to paycheck,” the talk show host surprised the school bus driver with an extra check: $20,000 from Shutterfly.

Watch Smith on “The Ellen DeGeneres” show:

Here’s a Prince George’s County Public Schools video with students thanking Smith and footage of the school assembly:

Topics:bus fires driver training evacuation drills heroism Maryland public image Management Safety

More Safety

A close up detail of the back of a school bus with text reading "Insight From 10 Years of NHTSA Data."

Safety•by Elora Haynes•July 22, 2026

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.

Safety•by Amanda Huggett•July 21, 2026

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.

Safety•by Staff and News Reports•July 9, 2026

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.

School buses at NSTA's SBDISC Roadeo with text reading "School Bus Drivers Put Their Skills to the Test."

Safety•by Staff and News Reports•June 30, 2026

NSTA Announces 2026 School Bus Driver International Safety Competition Winners

Drivers from across the U.S. and Canada showcased their safety and driving skills, with two defending champions successfully retaining their titles.

The Driver Shortage Playbook

Driver shortages are still a major challenge for student transportation fleets, but the real issue has shifted. It’s no longer just about filling seats quickly. It’s about finding safe, reliable drivers who meet performance expectations and want to stay. The Driver Shortage Playbook covers why traditional recruitment tactics are falling short and how school fleets are adapting with smarter hiring, stronger retention strategies and a greater focus on driver quality.