Half Hollow Hills Bus Driver, Student, Honored For Heroism

DIX HILLS, NY — Half Hollow Hills bus driver Janie Lozano and Signal Hill Elementary School student Hunter Javeline were honored for their quick actions that ensured the safety of students aboard a bus driven by Lozano when it caught fire a couple weeks ago. Suffolk Legislator Susan A. Berland led the recognition.

The school bus was en route to Signal Hill Elementary School when Lozano noticed a "ball of fire" emitting from the bus in the rear view mirror. She quickly stopped the bus and started an orderly evacuation. Javeline helped lead students off, and Lozano said the student was integral in everyone's safe departure from the bus.

"It was my privilege to recognize Janie and Hunter for the heroism they exhibited," Berland said via news release. "As someone who drove a bus for 10 years, I know that the safety of passengers is paramount in the mind of a bus driver. Janie's actions were nothing short of courageous, and Hunter's assistance in the evacuation was remarkable and brave. They are testaments to the excellence that is typical of the employees and students of the Half Hollow Hills Central School District."