LITTLE ROCK, AR — The Jacksonville bus driver who police say was hijacked on her bus spoke about her experience Wednesday.
“I love these kids,” Sheila Hart said. “I don’t see how a person can drive a school bus without caring about the kids,” said Hart.
On Wednesday, Hart received commendations for her calm response.
Last Thursday, Jacksonville police say while Hart picked up students at a bus stop, Nicholas Miller met her at the door with a knife and took over.
The driver says she had driven three blocks when Miller commanded her to move.
“He wanted me to switch with him as the bus was rolling,” Hart said. “I said, ‘No we can’t do that.’ So I stopped the bus, he sat down. He asked me how to use all the controls, I showed him the controls and we started driving.”
Investigators say Miller drove nine miles while Hart tried to convince him to stop.
“I told him you can have this bus, just let us off,” Hart said.
Miller ended up putting the knife away and surrendering to police, giving Hart and the 11 students on board relief.
Hart says she is thankful the incident ended peacefully, and now she is ready to move on and return to work Thursday.
The district also honored the brave police officers and state troopers who helped bring the situation to a safe ending.
The parent who witnessed the hijacking and called 911 also got a gift.
“I love these kids,” Sheila Hart said. “I don’t see how a person can drive a school bus without caring about the kids,” said Hart.
On Wednesday, Hart received commendations for her calm response.
Last Thursday, Jacksonville police say while Hart picked up students at a bus stop, Nicholas Miller met her at the door with a knife and took over.
The driver says she had driven three blocks when Miller commanded her to move.
“He wanted me to switch with him as the bus was rolling,” Hart said. “I said, ‘No we can’t do that.’ So I stopped the bus, he sat down. He asked me how to use all the controls, I showed him the controls and we started driving.”
Investigators say Miller drove nine miles while Hart tried to convince him to stop.
“I told him you can have this bus, just let us off,” Hart said.
Miller ended up putting the knife away and surrendering to police, giving Hart and the 11 students on board relief.
Hart says she is thankful the incident ended peacefully, and now she is ready to move on and return to work Thursday.
The district also honored the brave police officers and state troopers who helped bring the situation to a safe ending.
The parent who witnessed the hijacking and called 911 also got a gift.
