MINNEAPOLIS — A school bus driver here was honored for saving a wandering toddler he spotted at a street corner from frigid temperatures while driving one recent morning.
Lyle Silbernagle, who has driven buses for Minneapolis Public Schools for 36 years, was driving a school van at 8:30 a.m. on March 5 when he noticed the boy, who was alone and dressed only in a diaper, KSTP reports. Silbernagle told the news source that he quickly pulled over and got out of the van, wrapped the boy up in his coat, placed him in the front seat of the van, and called his supervisors and police. He also pointed the van’s vents at the boy and turned on the heat, rubbing the boy’s hands and talking to him while they waited for help to arrive.
KSTP reports that the temperature was 4 degrees Fahrenheit that day, and with the windchill, it felt like minus 12 degrees Fahrenheit, placing the boy at risk of hypothermia or frostbite. The police report stated that the boy had to climb down several flights of stairs, traverse an icy sidewalk and cross a busy street to get to where Silbernagle found him, FOX 9 reports. Police told FOX 9 that the boy was examined at the hospital and is OK, and that the incident is being investigated as a child neglect and endangerment case.
Silbernagle was recognized for his quick actions at a recent school board meeting, according to KSTP. Ed Graff, the superintendent for the school district, said that the boy “was unharmed and in good hands” because of Silbernagle. Silbernagle said at the meeting that he was “just there at the right time, doing what you're supposed to do."
School Bus Driver Saves Toddler From Freezing Temperatures
Lyle Silbernagle of Minnesota spots the boy alone at a street corner wearing only a diaper. He wraps the boy in his coat, brings him into the van and turns on the heat, and calls police.
More Safety

Autonomous Vehicles Aren’t Built for Student Transportation [Op-Ed]
Driverless cars may feel the future, but student transportation requires more than navigation. Here’s why it demands human judgment, empathy, and oversight.
Read More →
New York Girl Killed by School Bus Hit & Run
An 11-year-old in Brooklyn was killed crossing the street. Meanwhile, the school bus driver faces misdemeanor charges after he left the scene.
Read More →
Disaster Readiness Starts Before the Storm [Call for Experts]
The 2026 Disaster Response Guide is officially underway, and we’re now opening a Call for Insights and Experts.
Read More →
How Supplemental Transportation Helps Close Driver Gaps
Ongoing driver shortages nationwide are forcing tough transportation decisions. See how districts are using supplemental transportation to maintain coverage for high-needs students.
Read More →
New York 5-Year-Old Killed by School Bus, Investigation Ongoing
A Rockland County child was struck by their school bus late last week. Here's what we know so far about this and other fatalities and injuries in the area over the years.
Read More →
Prevent School Bus Dragging Incidents: Anti-Pinch Door Sensors and Maine’s New Mandate
As Maine becomes one of the first states to require anti-pinch door sensors on new school buses, manufacturers like Mayser offer a look at how the technology works and why it's a critical fail-safe.
Read More →
8 Ways To Simplify and Streamline School Bus Fleet Operations
What if your fleet technology actually worked together? Learn eight practical strategies to integrate multiple systems into one platform, unlocking clearer insights, stronger safety standards, and smoother daily operations.
Read More →
Survey: Most Parents Want Automated Enforcement on School Buses
A recent Verra Mobility survey reports that 82% of parents support safety cameras to penalize stop-arm violators and 70% favor automated enforcement in school zones.
Read More →
State Grant Program Advances School Bus Safety Upgrades Across Ohio
$10 million in state grants will fund safety upgrades and new features on school buses serving students across the Buckeye State.
Read More →
Waymo Scrutiny Intensifies as NTSB Launches Investigation
After complications in multiple cities when self-driving taxis failed to stop for school buses, the NTSB joins NHTSA in a probe to determine what's behind the tech and related safety concerns.
Read More →
