Bus driver helps save student
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on October 23, 2012 1:46 PM
A substitute bus driver is being hailed as a hero after alerting a student to an oncoming car after exiting a school bus Monday afternoon.
The incident occurred at 3:46 p.m. on Big Daddy's Road near Lancaster Road, according to a report from the Highway Patrol.
"There was a school bus that was stopped facing east on Big Daddy's Road -- had the stop arm out, discharging passengers," said Sgt. C.J. Owens. "A 15-year-old female had gotten off the bus and was attempting to cross the road when a vehicle traveling west on Big Daddy's Road failed to stop and struck the pedestrian."
School officials said that the freshman at Charles B. Aycock High was crossing the road when the bus driver, Beverly Rider, realized that the car coming toward the bus was not slowing down and attempted to warn the student.
"She started honking the horn, yelling at the student," said Ken Derksen, director of communication services for the school district. "Fortunately, the student was alerted in time, although as the car passed, contact was made."
Owens said the vehicle ran over the girl's foot. She was transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
"Through the quick thinking of the driver, it obviously prevented a worse accident," Derksen said.
The officer said once contact was made, the driver of the vehicle stopped at the scene.
J.R. Lancaster, 85, Lancaster Road, Pikeville, was cited for failure to stop for a stopped school bus.
Derksen said the district plans to recognize the bus driver at the next school board meeting.