Child, 11, Steers Runaway Bus To Safety

CLEVELAND (AP) – The driver of a runaway charter school bus in Cleveland says he put the brake on and shut off the engine before leaving it loaded with children.

Michael Weir has told WJW-TV that he had no idea it’s illegal to leave students unattended on a school bus.

Weir had been driving children to the Arts Academy on Monday when he stopped for fuel at a downtown gas station. Feeling ill, he went to the restroom, then says he heard screams and saw the bus go by.

Eleven-year-old David Murphy steered the bus out of a semi’s path and into a bridge support. There were no severe injuries.

Weir has a valid commercial driver’s license but was not registered with the state to drive a bus.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)