Houston ISD officials are crediting Northwest Motor Pool Area Manager Terriel Price with saving a school bus driver’s life, by performing the CPR techniques the district ensures employees receive each year.
Price, a five-year veteran of the school district, who was promoted about two and a half years ago from the school bus driver ranks, sprang into action when Lilian Lemus fell ill and stopped breathing shortly after concluding her route on Monday afternoon. Houston ISD trains all of its school bus drivers and attendants on safety and prevention strategy training, including certified American Red Cross first aid and CPR training courses each year.
“We called first responders and her relatives to let them know what was going on,” Price said. “While I had 911 on the phone, that’s when I performed CPR.”
HISD Transportation General Manager Nathan Graf told STN that Lemus, a bus driver for the district for nine years, likely suffered a heart attack. She remained in a local hospital as of Thursday night to undergo more tests. Graf said Terriel embodies the department’s commitment to safety, adding that “she was in the right place at the right time.”
“Terriel had the skills and knowledge to take care of (Lemus),” Graf said. “She could have waited until help arrived, but she didn’t. Terriel stepped in, making sure Liliam was taken care of before the paramedics’ arrival. I’m really proud.”
