Rolla, MO, September.
Driver Don Lewis was transporting about 40 students to school on the morning of Sept. 16.
He was traveling east on Martin Springs Drive, which parallels Interstate 44 in Rolla.
Adjacent to the school bus, a Freightliner tractor-trailer was traveling the same direction on I-44.
The driver of the Freightliner suddenly lost control, and the truck left the roadway, struck the guard rail, and flipped onto its side.
The guard rail was ripped from its posts and both the guard rail and the Freightliner shot across the roadway in front of the school bus."
Despite the fact that the tractor-trailer fell into both lanes of the roadway, Lewis was able to avoid a collision. He was awarded a certificate of appreciation last week.
His driving skills, quick reactions, and ability to stay calm during an extremely tense situation resulted in all of the students making it safely to school.
