5th-Grader Saves Child From Speeding Car, Honored For Rescue

ROCKVILLE, MD — A Flower Valley Elementary School student and safety patrol received an award from the Montgomery County Police Department for saving a kindergartner who was almost struck by a car that failed to stop for a school bus.

Jarius Taylor, a fifth-grader who is a member of the school's Safety Patrol, was honored with the Director's Lifesaving Award at the school on Tuesday.

Taylor was monitoring the intersection of Baur Drive and Lake Drive when a MCPS school bus arrived to pick up kindergarten students on April 26.

As a kindergartner began to run across the street to board the bus, Taylor realized a car traveling on Baur Drive was not slowing after the bus had activated its red stop lights.

Taylor pulled the student to safety as the car sped by them through the intersection.

"He just reacted and did what he was supposed to do," Jarius' father, Edward Taylor, told NBC Washington. "I couldn't be more proud of him."

Captain Thomas Didone, Director of MCP’s Traffic Division, presented the award to Taylor.

"Montgomery County Police commends Jarius for his quick actions that prevented the kindergartner from being injured," a police statement said. "Congratulations to Jarius for this well-deserved award!"

This incident was captured on the school bus video cameras and is shown below.

Police used the footage to locate the driver and issued them a $250 fine.

(Photo of Jarius Taylor via Montgomery County Public Schools)