Faculty bus driver hailed as hero for saving pupil lives after one other driver ignored bus cease arm

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WEST JORDAN — A Jordan Faculty District bus driver is being praised after he prevented a potential tragedy from taking place to college students.

On Dec. 20, Joey Skelton was dropping off children like standard. He put the warning lights on, introduced the bus to a cease, and introduced out the cease indicators. However then, a automotive got here racing previous the bus at full pace, utterly ignoring the bus’ prolonged cease arm.

“I threw open my automotive door and jumped out and waved my arms and yelled,” mentioned Cari Minnesota, who was selecting up her grandson.

Skelton honked his horn and shortly motioned to the scholars to not cross the road. His swift actions probably saved lives.

Sadly, cases like these aren’t unusual.

“We’re seeing 700 or extra college bus stop-arm violations a day all through the state of Utah,” mentioned Sandra Riesgraf, the director of communications for the Jordan Faculty District. “That quantities to greater than 100,000 college bus-stop violations yearly within the state.”

Regulation enforcement reminds drivers that there are penalties for these offenses.

“It is a zero-tolerance deal for us,” mentioned West Jordan Police Sgt. Kendall Holt. “Being late and operating late will not be price a toddler’s life.”

Holt mentioned the division now has officers following college buses each morning and afternoon to make sure college students’ security.

“We want everybody’s assist to cease for varsity buses when the pink lights are flashing and cease arms are prolonged,” mentioned Paul Bergera, transportation director for the Jordan Faculty District.

It is a message that Skelton echoes.

“Decelerate. Pay extra consideration. Be extra conscious of the bus and never simply the bus, however the children on the bus,” Skelton mentioned. “That is anyone’s youngster. That is anyone’s entire world proper there getting off that bus.”

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