Watch: MN school bus driver called hero for dodging head-on crash with semi; trucker cites black ice

A central Minnesota school bus driver is being hailed as a hero for saving “many lives” by dodging a head-on crash with a semitrailer truck that crossed into the wrong lane.

The harrowing incident occurred before sunrise about 7:15 a.m. Wednesday in Kathio Township on Hwy. 169 just north of Shakopee Lake Road, said Mille Lacs County Sheriff Kyle Burton.

The driver of the northbound semi strayed into the opposite lane, where the Onamia school district bus driver “made a quick maneuver to avoid a complete head-on crash, which undoubtedly saved many lives,” a statement from Burton read.

The semi made a “glancing sideswipe” near the bus’ rear passenger side “instead of a full head-on crash thanks to the quick and heroic efforts” of the bus driver, identified as 52-year-old Brian Lathrop, the statement continued.

Two students among the eight people on board were evaluated for minor injuries, Burton said.

The State Patrol, which is leading the investigation into the crash, identified the trucker as David Garrett, 54, of Racine, Wis.

The sheriff said the truck driver “will be charged at some point.”

Garrett told the Star Tribune that “I was under the impression that I hit black ice” before losing control of his big rig. “That’s basically the kickoff to all those events.”

Speaking from his hotel room while his truck was being repaired, Garrett said “this is the first time anything like this has happened” in his 10 years of truck driving.

Onamia Superintendent Jason Vold said that along with the driver, on the bus were three paraprofessionals and four students, a kindergartner, and students in grades three, four and seven. They were heading to the multidistrict Mid-State school in Little Falls.

Vold said that while he watched the bus' dashcam video of the near-miss, “The word hero really came to mind. ... His incredible and swift actions potentially saved lives.”

When he first heard that a bus was involved in a crash, “as a superintendent, your heart drops,” Vold said.

The superintendent said the district “will be recognizing Brian for his heroic actions at our next upcoming school board meeting” on Feb. 18.