Special-Needs School Bus Driver, Aide Honored for Helping Save Student from Passing Car
The bus driver shouts at the parent of the 5-year-old special-needs student and beeps the bus’s horn to prevent them from crossing the street when an SUV speeds past the bus.
Volusia County (Fla.) Schools special-needs bus driver Sonia Rivera (pictured second from right) and bus aide Tiffany Bryant (right) were recognized at a Deltona City Commission meeting for helping save Lily Gonzalez (left) and her special-needs son from a speeding car. Photo courtesy Deltona City Commission
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A school bus driver and bus aide here were recognized on Monday for their recent efforts in helping save a special-needs student and his mother from a speeding car.
The bus driver, Sonia Rivera, and her aide, Tiffany Bryant, were honored during a Deltona City Commission meeting for helping save Lily Bell Gonzalez and her 5-year-old special-needs son as they were crossing the street to the school bus, with all his bags, blanket, and special-needs equipment in hand on Feb. 6, according to a report from Jane K. Shang, the city manager for Deltona.
The report said Rivera, a 20-year bus veteran, shouted at Gonzalez to stop and beeped the bus's horn to prevent her from crossing the street. At that moment, an SUV was speeding past the bus, ignored the bus’s signal, drove within inches of Gonzalez and her son, and kept going.
Gonzalez told ClickOrlando.com that she is grateful for the quick-thinking actions of Rivera and Bryant. Both are being honored for their loyalty, love of their job, and their help in preventing a serious incident, according to the report.
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