April 9, 2025 – Maize, KS – A fourth-grade boy in Maize, Kansas, turned a missed college bus right into a daring solo journey this morning, driving his dad and mom’ pickup truck three miles to Pray-Woodman Elementary Faculty. The incident, reported at 8:10 a.m. PDT right this moment, April 9, has left native police, college officers, and his shocked dad and mom grappling with a mixture of shock, aid, and a contact of awe after the 10- or 11-year-old executed the journey with out a hitch—no collisions, no site visitors snarls, and a parking job that officers say rivaled seasoned drivers.
Maize Police Sgt. Braden Blackburn recounted the story: a involved citizen dialed authorities after recognizing a white Chevy pickup weaving down the street, its driver barely peering over the steering wheel. “They thought he seemed about 10 or 11,” Blackburn instructed KAKE Information. Officers raced to the scene close to thirty seventh and Maize however discovered nothing—till a passerby flagged them down, pointing towards the varsity at 605 West Academy. There, in a parking stall, sat the truck, neatly parked, with the younger boy inside. “He parked higher than most individuals park,” Blackburn marveled, noting the roughly three-mile trek from the boy’s house went off with out incident.
The boy’s motive was easy: he missed his morning bus and didn’t need to miss college. How he accessed the keys or discovered to drive stays unclear—his dad and mom, now dealing with a stern discuss with their son, haven’t commented publicly. X posts lit up with reactions: “Child’s acquired guts—future NASCAR champ?” one consumer quipped, whereas one other mused, “Maize isn’t prepared for this type of chaos!” The police, whereas impressed by his composure, handed him over to highschool officers and contacted his dad and mom, who’re probably much less amused than the net crowd.
This isn’t the primary time a baby’s taken the wheel post-bus mishap. In 2009, a 6-year-old Virginia boy drove six miles in his household’s automotive, impressed by Grand Theft Auto, crashing right into a pole however surviving. Maize’s younger driver, although, stored it cleaner—his journey resulted in a car parking zone, not a ditch. “He didn’t hit something, didn’t trigger any points,” Blackburn stated, including that no prices are pending, although the boy’s “in sizzling water” at house.
For Pray-Woodman Elementary, it’s a story to inform. The college hasn’t launched a press release, however the incident underscores a wild begin to the day on this quiet Wichita suburb. As Trump’s tariffs dominate headlines, this Kansas child’s grit presents a unusual counterpoint—a reminder that even in chaos, some simply steer straight forward.
By Satish mehra, Native Information Reporter
