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School bus driver honored after crash: ‘The captain doesn’t get off first’

Shuronda Richardson was hailed as a hero after she saved three Turner Middle School students on her bus Nov. 10.
Shuronda Richardson was hailed as a hero after she saved three Turner Middle School students on her bus Nov. 10.
By Steve Burns
Dec 5, 2017

A metro Atlanta school bus driver was recognized Tuesday for her actions that helped students during a fiery crash in November.

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners honored Shuronda Richardson at their regular meeting.

Richardson was hailed as a hero after she saved three Turner Middle School students on her bus Nov. 10.

WATCH: Driver tells kids 'to just run' after school bus catches fire

A truck ran a red light at Maxham and Old Alabama roads, pushing another vehicle under the bus, according to a school system official.

A Douglas County school bus driver is being heralded for her actions during this crash. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

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Credit: Channel 2 Action News

On video, Richardson can be heard telling the students to get off the bus.

The mother of three said all she could think of were the students.

“In an event like that, you don’t have a lot of time to work with,” she told Channel 2 Action News. “You can only go with what you’re taught (and) do it.”

She said Tuesday in recalling the incident, “I’m the captain, so the captain doesn’t get off first.”

Of the recognition, she told Channel 2, “This is a big moment for me. I haven’t had any moments that can compare to this.”

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