In a remarkable display of resilience, Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary has returned to his duties just days after a harrowing incident on Interstate 405 near Bellevue, Washington. On February 7, 2025, while transporting the North Creek High School girls’ basketball team to a game at Mount Si High School, a metal bar pierced the bus’s windshield, striking O’Leary in the chest.
Traveling at approximately 60 mph, O’Leary felt a sudden, violent impact that left him covered in shattered glass and momentarily breathless. Despite the shock and pain, he maintained control of the vehicle, prioritizing the safety of the student-athletes on board. Coaches Calvin McHenry and Chris Pinder quickly assisted, helping O’Leary steer the bus to the roadside and contacting emergency services.
Emergency responders transported O’Leary to a local hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries, including chest bruising and facial lacerations from the glass. Demonstrating his dedication, O’Leary texted his supervisor on Super Bowl Sunday, stating, “Put me in, coach,” and resumed work the following Monday.
The origin of the metal bar remains unclear, though it is suspected to have dislodged from another vehicle. O’Leary retained the object as a memento of the incident. Reflecting on the event, he expressed gratitude for the support received from colleagues and emphasized his commitment to student safety.
Sources:
- Northshore bus driver hit by flying metal on I-405
- ‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar
- Bus driver keeps control after being hit by flying metal on I-405 in Bellevue
- Bus driver hit by metal bar while going 60 mph on highway
