Students ride their school bus almost every day. However, it isn’t every day that a school bus runs off the road and swerves into a lake. And that’s exactly what happened to a school bus full of children in Tampa, Florida. The accident put 27 students and their bus driver directly in harm's way, but thanks to the quick thinking and heroic actions of a young safety patroller, everyone made it out alive.
An Average Day
It was an average September day in Tampa, Florida. The temperature was 85 degrees and the children that attended Mary E. Bryant Elementary school were gathering outside to load up onto the school bus.
One of those children was 10-year-old Nicholas Sierra whose fluorescent electric green safety belt reflected the afternoon sun. This belt signified Nicholas’ position as a safety patroller at his school. At this moment, Nicholas had no way of knowing what he was about to face.
Hop on Board
Nicholas and his classmates were ecstatic to get onto bus 72 and out of the hot Florida weather. He and his fellow students wiped their brows and said hello to their new bus driver, Lenoir, as they got on the bus.
Lenoir was a brand-new resident of Tampa. She had just moved to the area to be closer to her family and it was her seventh day driving a bus for Mary E. Bryant Elementary school. As far as anyone knew, it was just another normal weekday. But, things were about to change.
All Aboard
It was normal for students on the school bus to sit with kids in the same grade as them. So, it was normal when Nicholas took a seat at the back of the bus near the back window with his fellow fifth graders.
Kindergarteners sat in the first few rows of the bus, then first graders, second graders, third-graders, fourth graders, and finally fifth graders. Kids could not wait to sit in seats at the back of the bus because it was a sign of seniority. From his seat, Nicholas could see all the other kids find their seats on the bus.
Safety First
Nicholas had just recently been selected to be a junior safety patroller at Mary E. Bryant Elementary School. Part of accepting this responsibility was a pledge where Nicholas stated that he would protect his peers and educate them about traffic safety.
As a junior safety patroller, Nicholas also had to perform tasks like assisting their bus drivers, walking with students around the campus, and handle several other leadership roles. Nicholas was unaware that in just a few short minutes, his training would prove to be essential.
Business as Usual
Once all the students were on the bus, Lenoir put it in reverse and left the parking lot. The bus route was the same one that it had been for as long as the school had been in session. Lenoir turned left onto Nine Eagles Road and proceeded to go about business as usual.
Since it was the end of the school day, many students on the bus were finally relaxing after a long day of learning. Nicholas was one of them. He felt his eyelids become heavy as he watched the palm trees rush by outside his window.
Getting the Job Done
The school buses used by Mary E. Bryant Elementary School and the rest of Hillsborough County schools were over twenty years old and still in good enough shape to get the job done. The same goes for the bus Nicholas was on that day.
64-year-old Lenoir, who had just started her job as a Mary E. Bryant Elementary School bus driver only one week ago, was already at home driving the big yellow bus. Lenoir had previous experience driving a bus from her previous job in Washington, D.C.
That's Odd
Nine Eagles Road was a long stretch of road that the school bus would travel down for a while. Some students dozed off while others chit-chatted away. Lenoir couldn’t hear much above the noise of all the children on the bus.
However, Nicholas, who was dozing off at the back of the bus, woke up when he heard a strange noise. He described the noise as something like metal against metal. The worst part was, he could tell it was coming from the bus floor beneath his feet.
Going Fast
Nicholas didn’t know where the metal against metal sound was coming from or why it was happening. He looked around the bus to see if anyone else was worried by the sound. He didn’t see anyone who noticed it, but he did see something else.
Nicholas noticed that bus 72 was going pretty fast. The trees outside the window seemed to be getting blurrier and blurrier. They were still picking up speed and Nicholas had no idea why they continued to move so fast.
Something’s Not Right
It was then that the other kids started getting worried. Bus 72 was started to swerve back and forth between the lanes. Everyone began glancing at each other nervously and shifted in their seats in an uncomfortable way.
It was like the trees were zooming past the bus windows at lightning speed. In the driver’s seat, Lenoir was growing paler and paler, trying to recover control of the bus even though she wasn’t even able to acknowledge what was happening.
Time to Panic
Lenoir tried everything in her power to get control over the bus, but she was unsuccessful. She tried to pump the brakes, but that didn’t work. The bus continued to speed forward at a horrifying rate.
All of the students on the bus began to panic. The younger students started to cry while other ones began screaming out of fear. Everyone onboard bus 72 was steeped in fear and adrenaline. It was pure chaos as bus 72 sped away.
Out of Control
At this point, Lenoir finally admitted to herself that she had lost control of the bus. She moved the wheel back and forth but the bus would not turn away from the stop sign that was straight in front of them.
In the back of the bus, Nicholas tried his best to stay calm. He began bracing for impact by grabbing the seat in front of him. He held it so tight that his knuckles began to turn white. Lenoir continued to wrestle with the vehicle as the rest of the bus was hysterical. Nicholas peered out the window to see where the bus was heading.
Dead Ahead
Everyone began to realize that the bus was careening towards a lake at the same time. Lenoir saw the lake and continued to try to veer off course. The rest of the students on the bus all screamed for help, though no one could help them. All they could do was brace for impact.
Nicholas was in shock as bus 72 barreled towards its grim fate. It ran right over the stop sign which only crumpled beneath it and continued straight for the lake.
No Escape
Soon, bus 72 was completely off the road and barreling over and through everything between the road at the lake. The bus clipped a telephone pole which lurched everyone forward in the seats.
The bus even teetered back and forth as it continued flying towards the lake. No one knew whether or not the bus would flip over. When the surface of the lake was only a few feet away, Lenoir finally gave up completely on saving the bus from the depths of the lake and braced for impact.
Frozen in Time
The out of control bus jerked across the grass, clipping a palm tree and then going airborne. Nicholas was thrown from his seat as everyone around him screamed. The bus was seconds away from penetrating the lake’s surface.
Nicholas said that it was like time slowed down in those few seconds as if they were suspended in mid-air. The bus turned to its side mere seconds before falling straight into the lake. Nicholas said nothing could have ever prepared him for the feeling of that impact.
In the Water
When time finally caught up and the bus hit the water, the force slammed Nicholas into the window. Waves caused by the crash lapped around them as the bus settled into its new location.
The children who had been knocked out of their seats began crying and screaming for help. Nicholas tried to regain his composure, but he felt like all the air had been knocked out of his lungs. However, he knew that time was of the essence.
In the Water
Before he could even get his bearings in the drenched school bus, he noticed something ominous: the bus was slowly sinking further down into the water. Nicholas knew what this meant.
He also knew that not every student on the bus could swim. As bus 72 began to fill with lake water, Nicholas started thinking about the best way to get out. He was busy planning an escape despite his throbbing head as more and more water began flooding the bus.
Time Is of the Essence
Nicholas didn’t even have time to tend to his injury where his head hit the window. He knew he had to act fast and, as a newly appointed safety patroller, he knew it was important for him to help his fellow students get to safety.
He started at the front of the bus with the younger students who were less likely to know how to swim. Nicholas knew that things were getting more and more dangerous by the minute. But he had no way to know that that would soon be the least of his concerns.
Getting to Work
When he got to the front of the bus where the kindergarteners sat, the water was up to his knees. He bent over and helped a crying kindergartener up. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he lifted her up.
There was an open window on the side of the bus that was in the air and lifted the kindergartener up through it. Nicholas was eager to help more students. However, he was about to be in the middle of his own worst nightmare.
What Was That?
Nicholas hurried out of the bus through the window with the kindergartener hanging onto his neck. He rushed to shore and made sure the young girl was safe on dry land. He was out of breath but headed back to the bus to help more students.
However, when he turned to head back into the lake, he saw something that made him freeze in fear. Nicholas saw a couple of alligators hanging out in the lake, eyeing the school bus, and the students inside.
Things Got Worse
Florida is known for its large population of alligators and crocodiles, so it wasn’t surprising to see them hanging out in this lake. In fact, Nicholas was familiar with the creatures as he grew up seeing them around Tampa all the time.
Nicholas did not like alligators or crocodiles and he knew just how dangerous they were. But he also knew that the kids still on the bus were still in danger. Despite the fact that he knew alligator bites were more likely to happen in the water than on dry land, he knew what he had to do.
More Work to Be Done
Nicholas watched as most of the older kids got out of the sinking school bus and swam towards the shore. His heart was racing as he noticed that many of the younger children were hardly staying afloat.
Between the sinking bus, the children’s inability to swim, and the nearby alligators, Nicholas knew that time was ticking. He knew there was only one thing he could do and he wasn’t about to leave anyone in danger.
Pure Chaos
While watching the students get out of the bus, he noticed that one person, in particular, hadn’t made it to safety: Lenoir. Nicholas knew that he had to head back to the bus so he took a deep breath and dove back into the lake.
He didn’t think anything about the alligator that was just a few dozen feet away. Nicholas didn’t want to make things more chaotic than they already were. He also didn’t want them to clear the area before everyone was safely out of the bus.
A True Safety Patroller
Lenoir was still on the bus. But so were several first and second graders. And the bus was still filling with water with every passing second. Nicholas quickly swam back to the submerged vehicle and grabbed a first and second grader.
The younger kids climbed onto his back so he could swim them to safety. Despite not being much bigger than them, he was still able to get both students back to safety. The adrenaline pumping through his system gave him the strength he needed to save those kids.
Everyone’s Safe
Back on the bus, Lenoir was helping children get off the bus. Some were weighed down by their waterlogged bookbags. He took them off and sent the kids to dry land. He was determined to see every child get back to shore safely.
Once every student was out of the bus and safe on dry land, Lenoir got ready to make the short swim back on her own. She was only a few feet away from land when she caught a glimpse of the same alligator that Nicholas had seen.
A New Obstacle
As soon as Lenoir saw the reflection of the alligator’s tail scales in the sunlight, she began swimming as fast as she could. This was now life or death in a very different way than just a few short minutes ago.
When Lenoir was the last one in the water, people along the shore began to notice the alligator that was remarkably close to her. They began shouting for help when the alligator was just a few yards away from her.
Seconds Away From Horror
As onlookers waited with bated breath, Lenoir finally reached land. She hopped up out of the water, safely away from the deadly creature a few feet away. She told everyone to “Stay back! There’s an alligator in the water!”
She quickly helped to wrangle the crowd of children and spectators and pushed them back away from the water and away from the deadly jaws of the alligator. The students of Mary E. Bryant Elementary School and their bus driver had escaped death not once, but twice.
Here Come the Parents
By now, news of the horrific school bus crash has begun to spread around Tampa. Worried parents had started arriving at the scene of the crash to make sure that their kids were okay. They were spectators as authorities investigated the crash and made sure everyone got out safely.
As soon as they heard about the bus accident, Michael and Deborah Sierra, Nicholas’ parents, ran to their car and raced to the lake where their son’s bus had recently plummeted into, praying that he was alright.
Processing Everything
As soon as Michael and Deborah got to the scene of the accident, they wrapped their arms around their son Nicholas. They were just thankful that he was safe and unharmed. In fact, every one of the 27 children that were on bus 72 made it out safely.
Not a single one of them had a serious injury, either. Despite all this, Nicholas still felt fearful. Things could have gone so much worse. He could have seen his classmates die or even could have died himself. And then the alligator - It was a lot for him to process.
Back Home
As soon as Nicholas got home, he took a shower, finally put on some dry clothes, and sat down to watch the news. Footage of the remains of bus 72 was all over the news. Clips of it in the lake, as well as it being dragged out of the lake, were all Nicholas saw.
That’s when Nicholas opened up to his parents about what happened that day. He told them, “Right when we hit the water, I felt like I was in a dream.”
Hometown Heroes
When all was said and done, Both Lenoir and Nicholas were considered heroes to their community. They did not rest until every elementary school student made it off of bus 72 safely and that is something to be proud of.
That event was one of the worst things to happen to either Nicholas or Lenoir, but they were able to stay cool, calm, and collected in order to protect the students. Everyone on that bus made it through the horrific incident, all thanks to Nicholas and Lenoir's brave actions.
Selfless Driver Crashes to Save Lives
A woman had a car accident that sealed the fate of 3 people, including a baby. She crashed her car at an intersection late at night and it was all caught on camera.
This story is one of courage, quick thinking, and incredible good fortune. The drama unfolded late at night at a busy crossing in Arizona with many believing it was divine intervention - but what do you think?
A Late Night Shopping Trip
It was late at night in Phoenix Arizona – a young couple was finishing up after a long day and needed some supplies on their way home. They had their precious baby with them and were looking forward to finally getting to bed after this final chore.
The bus had dropped them off near the megastore so they could get everything they needed under one roof. They had no idea that their evening was about to turn into a nightmare.
About to Get Very Eventful
Ulysses and Gabrielle needed a few things for their son Damian and their eyes were heavy as they got off the bus. They put their son into the stroller and waited patiently at the crossing.
Both of them were extremely tired and focused on getting this last errand done quickly so they could head home and get Damian settled down. But sleep would be the last thing on their mind a few minutes later as their lives were in imminent danger.
Everything Was Being Filmed
Traffic lights controlled this extremely busy intersection near the mall and there were cameras set up to catch any speeding motorists. There were also police cameras positioned high above that filmed constantly.
Luckily, these cameras were on hand to capture the crazy and highly dangerous incident that was about to happen. There would be no way that anyone would believe what was about to take place.
Crossing the Road Straight Into Danger
As Ulysses and Gabrielle waited patiently for the lights to change in their favor, Damian dozed in his stroller without a care in the world. He didn’t seem fazed by the zooming cars and bright lights. He had his snuggle blanket firmly in his hand and that was his highest priority.
Eventually, the walk light turned green and the couple waited for the two cars turning left to drive by. Now it was their turn to cross and everything was about to be caught on the police cameras.
The Real-Life Drama
A scene reminiscent of a high-octane action movie was about to unfold, but unlike the world of Hollywood, there would be no stunt doubles here. The couple started to cross the busy intersection with their son.
This unsuspecting couple had no way to foresee how much danger they were about to face as they began to walk. They chatted as they went about their journey, discussing what other items they needed to add to the shopping list. As they took the first few steps, there was no way back and the horror was approaching at a scary speed.
Dangerously High Speed
Nothing out of the ordinary happened for the first few seconds, but that was all about to change as a Jeep started to approach the red lights but showed absolutely no sign of stopping.
The couple was so focused on getting to the shop that they didn’t notice the glare of the headlights at first. Surely the large SUV was going to stop as it got closer to the red light but to their absolute horror, the vehicle just kept on driving. It was aiming straight for them and the speed was devastating.
The Car Heads Toward the Family
Having run straight through the red light, the SUV showed no sign of slowing down. It was coming straight at Ulysses and Gabrielle, and Damian was sure to be crushed on impact. It was all happening so fast and there wasn’t any time for them to get out of harm’s way.
This out-of-control car was about to smash into them and their precious baby. The couple would not be able to save Damian from being hit by the car that was speeding toward them. There was no time to react.
A Heroic Act
Micro-seconds before the disaster, a Chevy Cruze came hurtling forward from out of nowhere. It was aiming right for the Jeep. Before Ulysses and Gabrielle could react, the vehicles collided and the Jeep was veered off course and away from the couple.
The Jeep had been pushed in another direction by the force of the collision, effectively stopping it from harming anyone. One second later and it would have been a much more devastating outcome for Ulysses and his beloved family.
Saved By A Stranger
The driver of the Chevy had saved them from being struck at full speed by the Jeep and it was all caught on camera. Afterward, Gabrielle said it all happened so fast but she clearly remembered the sound of screeching tires and had turned to see the Jeep coming at them.
By the time she turned around, the collision was already taking place. In a split second, she and her family had been saved by the heroic driver of the Chevy. She barely had time to take a breath but she knew she had to get to the sidewalk - they were not safe yet.
The Horror of The Impact
The moment of impact was frightening, with both vehicles spinning out of control for what seemed like ages, but in reality, it was just a few short seconds. And all the while, police cameras were recording the unbelievable scene that played out before them.
Both the Jeep and the Chevy finally came to a halt just a few feet from the terrified couple and tiny Damian. They knew they had to get him to safety.
Racing to Safety
With barely a moment to take it all in, Ulysses and Gabrielle raced to the other side of the intersection. They needed to protect Damian and with a huge sign of relief, Ulysses pushed his son’s stroller up onto the sidewalk away from the cars.
As they regained their composure, the couple turned to see the carnage before them. The collision had wrecked both of the cars and there was little sign of movement coming from either vehicle.
Trying To Save His Saviour
Ulysses focused his attention on the Chevy Cruze first. Whoever was behind the wheel of that smashed vehicle had saved the lives of his family. He was beyond grateful and he needed to help that driver in the same way that they had helped him, his fiance, and his beautiful baby boy.
Whoever was driving that car had put their own welfare in danger to save the lives of people they didn’t even know. It was a selfless act and now they were sitting there in a mangled wreck with unknown injuries. Ulysses had to get to them quickly. He didn’t know if there was anyone else in the Chevy. He raced towards the site of the collision.
Was Anyone Badly Hurt?
The driver was a young lady called Shannon Vivar. She had just left the Walmart megastore and was heading home. Her mother, Shirley, was in the car with her, as was her 3-year-old son. Shannon was clearly shaken from the impact and had some injuries, but her first concern was her son.
As soon as Ulysses arrived at the car, he checked on Shannon’s condition and looked in the back seat. He immediately put Shannon’s mind at rest by telling her that her son seemed uninjured. He had been safely buckled into his baby seat and had been protected from harm.
Mother and Daughter Give a Press Conference
Shirley was bumped and bruised but was thankful that her daughter and grandson were going to be okay. At a press conference after the accident, Shirley told reporters that she had seen the jeep heading towards the pedestrians and had yelled “oh my gosh, oh my gosh”, and a split second later their car had collided with the speeding Jeep.
At the press conference, Shannon said that she didn’t see the Jeep jumping the red light, but she had reacted to her mother’s words. Instinct took over and she smashed into the Jeep – she can’t remember if she sped up or slammed on the brakes – but simply says, “Once I got hit, I was lost.” She seemed embarrassed by all the attention she was receiving and wanted to think that someone would have done the same thing for her and her family.
At the press conference, Shannon said that she didn’t see the Jeep jumping the red light, but she had reacted to her mother’s words. Instinct took over and she smashed into the Jeep – she can’t remember if she sped up or slammed on the brakes – but simply says, “Once I got hit, I was lost.” She seemed embarrassed by all the attention she was receiving and wanted to think that someone would have done the same thing for her and her family.
Shannon further admitted having a profoundly emotional moment. It was hard for her to speak. She felt Oveso was "heartless'' when he fled. "He did see me and my son get out of the car and he still had the courage to leave, it just breaks my heart," she said.
The Aftermath
Whilst Shannon is not considering herself to be a hero, the Phoenix police most certainly is. In a Facebook post, the department described her as “an angel in the form of a Chevy Cruze” but Shannon doesn't see it that way.
She humbly said, “I was just happy we were all alive.” She is recovering from her injuries but, while her family is safe, her car is ruined. She had to set up a GoFundMe page to ask for the kindness of strangers for donations. She is very humble and has not asked for a large sum of money, and the public has been quick to help her. Many have gone online to praise her selfless actions.
Affected In More Ways Than One
She received donations from over 50 people and hit the fundraising target in just five days. She is grateful for the kindness of strangers and is trying to deal with the aftermath of the collision. But some scars will take longer to heal than others.
Psychologically, Shannon is finding it hard to get back behind the wheel of a car. Taking her children to school is extremely hard for her and she knows it will take some time. She says that she wouldn’t have it any other way and would make the same decision if confronted with a similar situation in the future. "For me, being able to be there at the right time, it makes me feel good, even though I’m in the situation I’m in right now." She is being hailed as a hero for saving the lives of three strangers.
The Red Light Runner Named And Shamed
So who was in the other vehicle? Why had it raced through a red light and aimed at a helpless family who was simply trying to head to the store for some late-night shopping?
The driver of the Jeep was later identified as Ernesto Otanez Oveso. The local Phoenix police confirmed that he hadn’t specifically targeted the family – he had been under the influence of alcohol and had been unable to control the car. He had simply been too drunk to notice the red light or the innocent family who had the right of way to cross the intersection.
Was Anyone Else In The Jeep?
But he wasn’t alone in the car. So why hadn’t the passenger done more to stop Ernesto from running the light and nearly killing three people?
The only details given by the police during the press conference afterward was that the passenger was a woman. To date, her name is unknown. Not wanting to approach the wrecked Jeep, Ulysses called 911 and waited for their arrival so they could deal with the possibly dangerous occupants. But the driver and passenger weren’t in any mood to stick around and wait for the sirens.
Running for Their Lives
Both Oveso and the unknown woman prised themselves out of the wrecked vehicle and started to run from the scene. Having nearly killed an innocent family, and knowing he was drunk, Oveso needed to get as far away as possible. He knew he was in a serious amount of trouble.
Unknown to him, he was being followed by a concerned citizen who had witnessed the whole incident. The man was following closely in his car, not wanting to lose sight of the pair who were fleeing on foot. Suddenly, Oveso became aware of the car that was tracking them and he launched a vicious attack.
Terror Continues to Unfold
Much to the man’s horror, Oveso turned to face the car. He knew that Oveso was dangerous or else he wouldn't be trying to escape. He suspected that this fleeing man would do anything to avoid capture and subsequent arrest. Sure enough, Oveso raised his hand and came rushing towards the man.
Even though this Good Samaritan had locked his doors, he was still petrified to see that there was a knife in Oveso’s hand. Oveso started to attack the driver’s side by stabbing at the door. It didn’t take long for the petrified man to put his foot on the gas and drive away for his own protection. Thankfully the police were fast approaching and they took over the dangerous situation.
A Startling Discovery
Oveso was swiftly arrested and put into the back of a police car while the police continued to look for his female accomplice. After an extensive search, she seems to have evaded capture, for the time being.
The smashed-up Jeep was thoroughly searched and it didn’t take long for officers to find a handgun in the glove compartment. Oveso did not have a gun license so that charge would be added to the long list of offenses he would face.
Not His First Run-In With the Law
Oveso’s name was run through the police database and it brought up a long list of his prior crimes, as well as three outstanding misdemeanor warrants. He was on probation at the time of the accident and now faced additional charges of suspicion of leaving the scene of a collision, DUI and aggravated assault for attacking a man with a knife.
Still only 23 years of age, Ernesto Otanez Oveso is now looking at some serious punishment. Incredibly, he was released just hours after the accident, so it looks like he was able to post bail. Pedestrians in Phoenix can only hope that he won’t be allowed behind the wheel of a car for a very long time. It's not yet known when his trial date has been set for.
Shannon's Proud Mother Speaks Up
Shannon Vivar hopes the crash will be a wake-up call for this criminal, as he could have also faced murder or manslaughter charges had it not been for the heroic actions of her daughter.
In all the commotion and with Shannon subsequently being rushed to the hospital, Ulysses and Gabrielle have yet to meet their guardian angel. Gabrielle told reporters that her message to Shannon was one of gratitude and concern, saying “I’m so sorry that this happened to you, but thank you.” She hopes that Shannon will be okay after suffering injuries and she hopes to meet her in the future to say thank you in person.
An Act of God
After news of the incident came to light, there was much speculation about how and why Shannon had reacted the way she did. Some said that she was a real-life angel, and others called it an Act of God. For most people, they saw it as a moment of incredible bravery and selflessness, with Shannon‘s instinct taking over to save the couple and their son.
Ulysses and Gabrielle have since been shown footage of the accident and have seen just how close they came to death. Ulysses says that the whole experience has given him a new sense of appreciation for just how precious life is. He said, “Being so close to being gone, that’s when you stop and think about what’s really important, and of course, it’s family.”