Clay teen receives Cicero PD Life Saving Award

The Cicero Police Department recently honored a 13-year-old from Clay for his actions after his mother suffered a medical crisis while driving. In a Jan. 20 ceremony at the Cicero Fire Department, Nathan Bustin received the CPD Life Saving Award. Also present at the ceremony were members of the Cicero Fire Department and the North Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps (NAVAC).

On the evening of Jan. 3, Nathan and his mother, Lisa, were traveling northbound on Route 481 in the town of Cicero. As they began to approach the East Circle Drive exit around 6:25 p.m., Lisa Bustin suddenly developed a medical crisis and lost consciousness, causing her to lose control of the motor vehicle.

Nathan immediately took action by grabbing the steering wheel, but was unable to reach the brake or gas pedals in order to stop the vehicle. Upon taking control of the vehicle, Nathan was then able to grab his mother’s cellphone and call 911 to report his mother had passed out.

Cicero Police Chief Steve Rotunno, Nathan Bustin, and Cicero Fire Chief George Barrett stand in front of a Cicero Fire Department backdrop. Bustin is holding an award certificate. — Nathan Bustin, 13, of Clay, recently received the Cicero Police Department’s Life Saving Award. Nathan was able to maneuver his mother’s SUV in Cicero traffic when his mom passed out while driving. He is shown here with Cicero Police Chief Steve Rotunno and Cicero Fire Chief George Barrett.

Local drivers know that this is a heavily traveled area in Cicero with an off ramp that has a slight grade and right-hand curve. Yet Nathan was able to steer the vehicle down the off ramp onto East Circle Drive towards Route 11 without striking anything.

As the vehicle was slowing, Lisa’s foot somehow hit the accelerator, causing the vehicle to speed up. Nathan tried to negotiate the vehicle onto Route 11 but unfortunately struck a vehicle traveling north on Route 11 (Brewerton Road), subsequently stopping the vehicle. Not knowing that air bag deployments cause a smoky chemical mix to inflate the air bags, Nathan quickly exited the car thinking it was on fire and pulled his mother to safety.

Amazingly, no one was injured and Lisa was transported to the hospital.

According to Syracuse.com, people at the Denny’s restaurant on Brewerton Road — including a doctor — assisted the Bustins. The Cicero Police Department, Cicero Fire Department and NAVAC were among the first responders at the scene. The Bustins were unharmed save for a few scrapes and bruises, but their 2017 Kia Sorento was totaled.

If not for Nathan’s quick thinking, the outcome of this incident could have been much different. Without question, Nathan’s immediate actions and bravery prevented a serious, if not fatal, motor vehicle accident along Route 481, East Circle Drive and Route 11.

“What an amazing act for a 13-year-old — great job and congratulations,” Cicero Police Chief Steve Rotunno said in a statement.