November 5th, 2009
Mayor honors transportation officials, heroic women

Front row, left to right: San Marcos Mayor Susan Narvaiz, Daisy Chavez, Diana Sanchez, Richard Sanchez, Ernest Martinez, Randy Holt, Leatha Bueche and Juan Velez. Back row, left to right: City Councilmembers Pam Couch, Gaylord Bose, Kim Porterfield and Fred Terry. Photo by Don Anders.

STAFF REPORT

National School Bus Safety Week found San Marcos Mayor Susan Navaiz honoring the San Marcos CISD transportation officials and a citizen who’s quick action came to the aid of pre-schoolers.

Daisy Chavez assisted school bus driver Diana Sanchez when her school bus was struck by a hit-and-run driver in September. The school bus was full of three- and four-year-olds when the driver of a pick-up truck took a wide turn and smashed into the bus. The truck drove off and fuel started spilling out of the bashed bus.

Chavez, a Sac-n-Pac employee, was traveling behind the bus in a car with her children when the accident occurred. Chavez immediately pulled over and helped Sanchez evacuate the bus and comfort the children.  None of the children were physically injured by the accident.

National School Bus Safety Week is always held the third full week of October. This year’s theme was “Avoid Harm, Obey the Stop Arm,” referring to the stop signs that bus drivers extend to stop traffic.

Each year, the National Association for Pupil Transportation holds a contest for school children to create the next year’s poster. For more information go to napt.org.

Left to right: Narvais, Daisy Chavez and bus driver Diana Sanchez. Photo by Don Anders.