A bus driver acted instinctively when he noticed a child strolling alone down the road about ten blocks from their school. Luis Jimenez, a New York MTA bus driver, was on his typical shift in September when he noticed a toddler strolling down the sidewalk. Jimenez almost missed work that day because he was considering calling in ill; luckily, he did not. While on his way, he noticed 5-year-old Adaline ‘Addy’ Gonzalez, who appeared to be alone, and his fatherly instincts kicked in, prompting him to act. He asserts that he observed the girl for about a block before encouraging one of his passengers to call 911.

He immediately pulled over his dispatcher and, with the assistance of the other commuters, brought the young girl onto the bus. Speaking to the local press, he stated, “My instinct as a father came on because if I see a kid in the street in need of help, I would want somebody to help one of my children or one of my grandkids.”You know, my wife is constantly concerned about me because she knows that when I see anything, like we say in the MTA, ‘If you see something, say something.’ Oh, well, with me, I will do something.”
The police ultimately came and securely returned the girl to her home.

Amazingly, Addy had opted to skip school in order to go to a pet store and acquire a new fish after her last one died that morning. She had never told her parents what she planned to do and had no history of dropping out of school before the incident. In conclusion, Jimenez reunited with the little girl shortly after the event, and she delivered a heartfelt message. She expressed her gratitude: “Thank you, Luis, for being my hero and saving my life.” The family also gifted the bus driver a New York Jets cap that said, ‘Addy’s Hero’. When they met again, they were dancing together and appeared to be in excellent spirits.

When asked about meeting Addy again, he stated, “It made me very happy. My heart was thumping. The anticipation of seeing her and her parents was palpable, as it was a moment worthy of cherishing. She was allowed to return home. To top it all off, Addy got her new fish, and she named it perfectly. She explained, “I chose to call my new fish Luis. I was delighted and joyful, and everything seemed wonderful.”