Eighth grader prevents tragedy on school bus ride home

On an ordinary April afternoon, a routine bus ride home from school turned into a scene straight out of an action movie. When the driver unexpectedly lost consciousness, it was a 14-year-old Wisconsin student who took control of the careening school bus and potentially saved over a dozen lives through his quick-thinking heroism.

Acie Holland III, an 8th grader at Glen Hills Middle School in Glendale, had just settled into his usual seat near the middle of the bus. As they departed the school grounds, the driver was joking with students as she typically did. But Holland soon noticed something was very wrong.

"She turned the corner and there's another street that we usually turn on. She pressed the gas and went past the corner, and I looked up," Holland recounted to CNN. "She had temporarily lost consciousness and the bus was veering into oncoming traffic."

With remarkable poise, the Wisconsin student immediately sprung into action during this school bus emergency. He rushed toward the front, moving the unresponsive driver's foot off the accelerator. Holland then slammed on the brakes, bringing the massive vehicle to a safe stop before a catastrophic accident could occur.

"I wasn't really scared, I was just trying to get the bus to stop," said Holland, downplaying his brave heroics.

After halting the bus's dangerous trajectory, the level-headed teenager took charge of the entire situation. He contacted emergency services and used the radio to alert the bus company about the driver's medical emergency. Holland also calmly instructed the other shaken students to call their families.

As grateful parents and first responders rushed to the scene, the full gravity of the situation became clear. Had it not been for the quick-thinking teenager at the wheel, the out-of-control bus could have crashed into oncoming traffic or vehicles, causing severe injuries or worse. 

"Everybody was just like, 'thank you' because I saved their life," Holland humbly told CNN afterward.

School officials, first responders, and the local community quickly praised the 8th grader's heroic actions, which likely prevented a horrible tragedy. His middle school principal lauded him for exemplifying "the compassion and leadership" they see daily.

"We are grateful that all of our Glen Hills students are safe and are wishing their driver a healthy recovery," Principal Anna Young stated.

At a school board meeting, the city's mayor and council officially recognized Holland's lifesaving feats with a special proclamation. The Glendale Police and Milwaukee Fire departments also honored the teenager for his bravery and clear-headedness in such a dangerous situation.

While stunned at first to hear what their son had done, Holland's parents expressed immense pride in his decisive actions and ability to remain calm under intense pressure.

"He's always been a person where he's real quick on his feet...being able to help someone in need," said his father Acie Holland II. "But I am proud of what he did."

The Wisconsin student's ouststanding heroism that day defied stereotypes and served as a powerful reminder to never underestimate the potential of youth in emergency situations. His selfless deed showed how even teenagers can demonstrate incredible leadership and courage when it matters most.

"It was like he was in the right place at the right time. So it was meant to be for a variety of reasons, the most important being for the safety of others," Principal Young remarked.

For his part, Holland felt the harrowing incident gave him a boost of self-assurance moving forward.

"I feel more confident with having a fight or flight moment," he told CNN after the school bus emergency.

Thanks to the brave actions of this quick-thinking Wisconsin student taking control, what could have been a tragic day instead represented the remarkable heroism children and teenagers can display when called upon.