Metal bar flies through windshield, hitting WA school bus driver in the chest
WA school bus driver hit with metal while driving
A Northshore School District bus driver is back behind the wheel after taking a direct hit chest from a metal bar. The piece of metal smashed through the bus windshield striking Stewart O’Leary earlier this month.
BOTHELL, Wash. - A Northshore School District bus driver is back behind the wheel after being struck in the chest by a metal bar that smashed through his windshield earlier this month.
What we know:
The incident occurred on Feb. 7 as Stewart O’Leary was transporting the North Creek High School girls basketball team to their game at Mount Si.
He said he was traveling on Interstate 405, near Bothell, at about 60 mph when it happened.
"It looked like a glitter party went horribly wrong," O’Leary said. "I was covered in glass. I had blood on my face."
The permanent substitute bus driver made light of the situation while speaking with FOX 13.
"It’s all you can do," he said. "This could have been a lot worse."
Video of the incident shows O’Leary remaining calm and collected despite the impact.
"I didn’t even know what hit me," he said. "I just felt something fall into my lap."
Footage shows the moment of impact, with O’Leary keeping his hands on the wheel. Coaches on board heard him moan and quickly came to his aid.
Footage shows the moment of impact, with Stewart O’Leary keeping his hands on the wheel. The coaches on board quickly came to his aid.
Together, they downshifted and got the bus to a safe stop.
"I really have to thank everyone involved," O’Leary said. "Right down to the administrative team—they’ve been very supportive."
O’Leary was checked out at a local hospital following the incident.
"Only minor bruising," he said.
The next day, he sent a text to his supervisor.
"It was Super Bowl Sunday, so I said, ‘Put me in, coach,’" O’Leary recalled.
By Monday, he was back at work.
As for the metal bar, it’s unclear where it came from, but O’Leary now has it in his possession.
"As I was getting off the bus, I grabbed it," he said.
Talk about a wild souvenir.
"My wife might make something out of it," he added.
On Saturday, O’Leary’s family surprised him with a reunion at the North Creek girls basketball game in Arlington.
The Source: Information for this report comes from the Northshore School District and original interviews from FOX 13's Dave Detling.
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