A New York school bus driver has been hailed as a hero for saving the life of a young girl who inadvertently sped through a stop sign as students were getting off at a stop.
The horrifying incident was captured on doorbell video. share The driver of a Fayetteville-Manlius bus was seen stopping to drop off a student Thursday afternoon, according to the Manlius Police Department.
As other cars were seen stopping to let the students off, out of nowhere a “gold/tan” Toyota Camry sped around to the right of the school bus and directly into the path of the students. A crash was witnessed.
“Ms. Debbie,” the bus driver said in a comment on the police post, quickly grabbed the girl’s backpack and pulled her back into the bus. According to WHAM13.
In the video, you can hear the Camry clipping the side of the mailbox as it passes in front of the bus door.
A woman who was picking up a student was walking to the bus when the driver sped by, causing her to stumble back and freeze in utter fear.
The driver fled the scene but was not injured, police said.
“If you are the driver of this vehicle, please first come forward,” the department said in a post. “We are currently reviewing footage from the surrounding area and will be able to identify you.”
Fayetteville is approximately 16 miles from downtown Syracuse.
While many people were outraged by the near-fatal accident, others praised the quick-thinking bus driver.
“My kids were on that bus. Thank you Mr. Debbie, the bus driver,” one person claimed. “She’s always very careful with the kids. We’re very lucky to have her.”
“This is our school bus!” Acknowledge the bus driver, Miss Debbie. She is always hardworking and puts the safety of her children first!!!!!!,” wrote another.
“That’s my daughter’s bus. I’m so grateful to Ms. Debbie! She’s so cautious that I’ve always felt 110% safe when I put my daughter on the bus. Thank you, Debbie.” another grateful parent commented.
Approximately 50,000 cars illegally pass school buses every day in New York, according to the state. statistics.
A first offense for illegally passing a school bus in New York can result in a fine of $250 to $400 and up to 30 days in jail.
A second conviction within three years carries a fine of $600 to $750 and up to 180 days in jail. If within three years he is convicted a third time or more, he will be fined from $750 to $1,000 and he will be sentenced to 180 days in jail.
According to the law, if you are convicted of a crime, five points will be added to your driver’s license for each conviction. New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
If a driver is convicted of illegally passing a school bus and killing a student or person, he or she could be charged with vehicular manslaughter, a Class C felony with a maximum prison term of 15 years.
According to the report, from 2021 to 2022, there were an estimated 489,748 school buses in the United States carrying approximately 20.5 million elementary and middle school students every day. national safety council.
In the same year, 108 people died in school bus-related accidents nationwide, a 50% increase compared to the 54 deaths reported in 2020.
