How One Bus Driver’s Calm Response Saved 15 Lives in Ohio
The morning of February 27, 2025 began like any other school day for families in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Children boarded the bus expecting a routine ride to Monticello Middle School, unaware that within minutes, that ordinary trip would turn into a terrifying emergency.
Around 7:45 a.m., as the bus traveled through a neighborhood intersection, a sudden mechanical failure caused a fire to erupt near one of the rear wheels. Smoke quickly filled the air, and flames began spreading beneath the bus. What started as a quiet morning instantly became a life-threatening situation.
Behind the wheel was Dorian Pace, a veteran school bus driver with more than eleven years of experience. He had faced countless busy mornings and challenging routes, but nothing like this. When he heard a loud sound and saw smoke pouring from the back of the bus, he knew there was no time to hesitate.
Instead of panicking, Dorian relied on training. Years of emergency evacuation drills prepared him for this exact moment. He immediately stopped the bus and calmly instructed all fifteen students to exit through the front door, guiding them away from the growing flames.
Some children were confused, others frightened. A few didn’t realize how serious the situation was until they stepped onto the street and saw the fire behind them. Nearby residents later described hearing a loud noise and seeing thick black smoke rising into the sky.
Within minutes, all fifteen students were safely off the bus. Not a single child was injured.
Emergency crews arrived shortly afterward and worked to extinguish the fire. Another bus was brought in to transport the shaken students to school, while parents were notified of what had happened. Relief quickly replaced fear once families learned their children were safe.
The bus had passed its most recent safety inspection just weeks earlier, and officials later conducted additional checks across the entire fleet as a precaution.
In the days that followed, Dorian was praised for his calm, decisive actions. When asked what was going through his mind during those critical moments, his answer was simple and powerful: he couldn’t lose any kids.
What could have been a tragic day ended instead as a story of courage, preparation, and lives saved — a moment that an entire community will never forget.
