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‘We’ve got a little hero:’ Michigan seventh grader honored for taking over school bus when driver passed out

April 28, 2023

A day after his heroic deed everyone still wanted to talk about Dillon Reeves, the Warren seventh grader whose quick action prevented a school bus crash earlier this week when the driver passed out.

During an appearance before a room full of reporters at Warren Consolidated Schools Administration Building, his parents and school officials said he’s received calls from the likes of Fox News, WWJ-AM (950), Warren Mayor Jim Fouts, and even a surgeon with Corewell Health.

Along with his classmates, a lot of people wanted to congratulate him on his heroic actions.

“His principal reported Dillon was the most popular kid in the school Thursday,” said his father, Steve Reeves.

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Dillon, 13, who attends Carter Middle School, was one of 66 students aboard a bus whose driver lost consciousness Wednesday. The bus was making its afternoon run on Masonic Boulevard near Bunert Road, when the driver began to feel uneasy.

According to an in-vehicle video from the incident, the driver radioed into the transportation department that she wasn’t feeling well and planned to pull over in front of Miller Park. After fanning herself with a ball cap, her hands drop to her side and her head droops down as she passes out.

Dillon Reeves can be seen grabbing the steering wheel and applying the brakes on the bus after the driver passed out. (SCREENGRAB OF IN-VEHICLE VIDEO)

A few second go by before Dillon, who was about five rows behind her, races to the steering wheel while applying the brake.

“Someone call 911 — now,” he shouted as he guides the bus to a gentle stop in the middle of Masonic, as the other students begin screaming.

Two Good Samaritans who saw what was going on jumped aboard the bus. One tended to the driver, while the other helped evacuate the students.

A few minutes later, Warren police and firefighters arrived and took over, officials said.

Fast-reacting student stops moving vehicle as Warren Con bus driver faints

“In my 35-plus years of education, this was an extraordinary act of courage and maturity,” said Warren Con Superintendent Robert Livernois.

Livernois said the driver, who he called “one of our best,” appears to have suffered a medical condition. She was still in the hospital Thursday undergoing tests.

While the video of the incident was being played for the media, Dillon looked down toward the ground as his father, mother, Ireta, and sister Raelyn, watched a screen.

“I asked him Dillon how did you know what to do, how did you know to drive that bus,” his mom said. “And he said ‘I watched her do it every day.’ He pays very close attention to everybody.”

Dillon’s dad added: “I don’t know if I will ever know what made him jump into action like that, but I’m extremely proud of him.”

As a video of the incident was being played, Dillon Reeves looked elsewhere. (MITCH HOTTS — THE MACOMB DAILY

Steve Reeves sheepishly said he’s allowed Dillon to drive on country roads, in a golf cart, or sit on his lap while dad drove.

“He’s just a good driver,” Reeves said. “I don’t want to say that out loud, but he’s very attentive to his surroundings.”

His parents say he’s an average young teenager who gets good grades, plays video games, basketball and hockey in the street. They say he hopes to become a police officer or professional hockey player when he grows up

“I want to be a firefighter,” Dillon quietly said, his only spoken comment at the news gathering.

Dillon’s parents say he is still overwhelmed by what happened and needs to process it.

“We’ve got a little hero,” Steve Reeves said.

Orange County Register

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‘We’ve got a little hero:’ Michigan seventh grader honored for taking over school bus when driver passed out

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