Jay Cloud, who has been a bus driver for Mineola ISD for one year, was presented the “Hero Driver Award” by the board of trustees at the Dec. 16 meeting for his quick thinking and safety during the bus accident on Thursday, Nov. 21.

That morning at 6:35, Cloud was picking up his fifth passenger, a little girl. Just as she stepped onto the bus, a truck plowed into the back of the bus going about 60 miles per hour. 

“It would have been real easy to mess up or make mistakes, but Cloud did everything correct,” said Interim Superintendent Randy Hancock.

When Cloud stopped to pick up the student, he locked the air brake, which minimized the movement of the bus when the impact occurred, saving the five students from severe injuries.

He calmed the students and ran from the bus to get the man out of the truck that was beginning to catch fire. Cloud then moved the bus away from the truck to keep the fire from spreading and checked on the students again. He went back to the truck to put the fire out, all while calling for assistance. 

Parents were notified, and only one student was taken to the hospital with a minor injury.