Bus Driver Saves Child

Bus Driver Saves Child
Posted on 12/12/2018
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The Carson City School District and Board of Trustees recognized Greg Hoeger, bus driver with the Carson City School District, with a Certificate of Merit last night for his immediate attention and awareness that helped save the life of a student passenger.

“I am pleased this evening to present to you, Mr. Greg Hoeger, for meritorious service and recognition of your outstanding performance in preventing injury or death to a student who had exited your bus and had become a pedestrian.” Richard Stokes, superintendent for the school district, said during his report to the board. “By using the horn, you were able to warn the student of an approaching vehicle that was illegally passing the stopped bus.”

Kimberly Ponczoch, mother of the saved student Jinnie Ponczoch, witnessed the incident and contacted Superintendent Stokes at the district office. She was so impressed with Hoeger’s ability to assess the situation and take the initiative to warn her child of the potentially lethal circumstance.

Both Ponczoch and Stokes agreed Hoeger’s actions warranted public acknowledgement. The report to the trustees provided all parties the opportunity to express their gratitude and appreciation for Hoeger’s alertness and overall concern for the well-being of each of his student passengers.

“I didn’t do anything different that most of our drivers do every day,” Hoeger said with much emotion. “I mean, we’re out there in that traffic, and it is tough. It’s really tough. The best we can do is just be alert, make sure our equipment is safe and try and get the children home…as best we can.”

In late November, the Carson City Sheriff’s Office indicated a more hyper-focused effort in targeting bad drivers and pedestrians. Sheriff Ken Furlong said he had been hearing an outcry from all sorts of people about the conduct of both drivers and pedestrians. Much of the problem is people just not paying attention. Drivers and pedestrians are on their phones, snacking, not obeying lights and signs.