Corrections officer hailed as hero after Oklahoma Department of Corrections bus emergency
By Olivia Hickey
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Oklahoma (KOCO) — A high-speed medical emergency unfolded Thursday morning when the driver of an Oklahoma Department of Corrections bus suffered a medical episode during an inmate transport.
Corporal Justin Black is being hailed as the hero who was able to take control and steer the bus to safety.
Black was not interested in speaking on camera about his actions, but his supervisor described his efforts as heroic, possibly saving the lives of everyone on board.
Bodycam footage captured the moment Black sprang into action.
“I looked up, and he was on the floor, and that’s when I jumped up and stopped the bus,” Black said in the body camera footage. “I’m trying to make sure he stayed awake.”
Sky 5 flew over the scene near Interstate 35 and Bryant Avenue, where many emergency responders were present, and Black was seen assisting.
“Thirteen inmates were on board. Some, during the initial contact, were very concerned with the officer and telling Corporal Black what a great job he did,” Lt. Jed Hasbell, supervisor of the Central Transportation Unit at ODOC, said.
He said the outcome could have been catastrophic.
“Every time he does something great, he’s the first to say, ‘I’m just doing my job,'” Hasbell said. “He potentially saved the lives of 15 people, including himself.”
ODOC has chosen to respect the privacy of the driver and will not be sharing updates on his condition.
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