Senator Helming Presents New York State Senate Commendation Awards to Five Individuals Involved in Recent Wayne Central Bus Crash

Senator Pam Helming presented New York State Senate Commendation Awards to three staff members and two students involved in the Wayne Central bus crash at a recent school board meeting.

Three weeks ago, a bus carrying students and teachers from the Wayne Central School District was on its way back from a field trip when a car crashed into the bus, causing both vehicles to catch fire.

Bus driver Deb Hibbard was recognized for instinctively calling for everyone to get out of the bus minutes before the bus burst into flames.

Physical Education Teacher Maureen Doyle, and English teacher Lori Sozio immediately used their training to assist Hibbard in helping to calm the students and direct them to exit through a rear door.

Seniors Brody Constable and Colin Schrage selflessly assisted their 20 classmates in getting down from an approximate 5-foot drop from the back of the bus. Within a minute of the crash, all 25 passengers of the bus were safely evacuated.

The New York State Senate Commendation Award honors individuals who exemplify the spirit of community, philanthropy, and leadership, and go beyond what is expected.

Senator Helming said, “Our community is grateful to Deb, Maureen, Lori, Brady, and Colin for their heroic actions and for getting involved when it mattered most. Their quick action saved lives that day. I am honored to present each of these individuals with the New York State Senate Commendation Award, well deserved.”

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