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Newington honors bus driver Peter Kornachuk after life‑saving stop; state citation presented
Summary
Peter Kornachuk, a 14‑year Newington school bus driver, received the Board of Education’s Everyday Hero award and a citation from the Connecticut General Assembly after using training and quick action to prevent a potential collision at a school bus stop.
The Newington Board of Education honored school bus driver Peter Kornachuk on April 23 after district officials said his quick action and adherence to safety procedures prevented a potential tragedy at a bus stop before last Christmas break.
Board members and state officials congratulated Kornachuk at the meeting. Dr. Bramlett introduced the award and described video footage showing a passing car failing to stop for the school bus while lights and a stop sign were deployed; Kornachuk sounded the horn and alerted a child and parent, and the board said that action kept them from crossing into danger.
Representative Gary Turco presented an official citation from the Connecticut General Assembly, introduced by Turco, Representative Kate Farrar and Senator Matt Lesser. Turco read the citation into the record, calling Kornachuk’s action “an unforgettable impact” and thanking him for 14 years of service. Senator Matt Lesser (on the meeting monitor) told Kornachuk, “He who saves one life saves the world entire; you have done such a great thing.”
Kornachuk, identified by the board as a Newington school bus driver with 14 years’ service, said: “Once a child gets on the school bus, all bus drivers take it upon themselves as they are their children once they get on.”
Board members praised Kornachuk’s calm and consistent attention to safety. Chair Amy Parratti, board members Sean Halloran and others thanked him and wished him well in retirement; Halloran said he felt personally safe when Kornachuk drove his daughter to school.
Dr. Bramlett added that district bus-camera footage helped identify the motorist; the transcript records Dr. Bramlett saying the driver “was found and received a fat 495 fine and 2 points on his license,” which the board characterized as enforcement action following the incident.
Why this matters: the award highlights school bus safety practices and the role of district transportation staff in protecting students, while also acknowledging the limits of road-user compliance and the district’s reliance on bus drivers’ training and vigilance.
Next steps/related items: Board members and staff used Kornachuk’s recognition to thank other bus drivers and note their shared responsibility for student safety; Kornachuk will retire this year, and the board acknowledged his 14 years of service.
