NEWTON, Iowa—– HIRTA driver, Karen Dont, is touted with saving the life of Mr. Gregg Hodges, a regular rider of HIRTA in Jasper County.

Mr. Hodges told HIRTA management “Your driver, Karen Dont, saved my life. Karen has driven me to Mercy One hospital (formerly Skiff Hospital) more times than I can remember. My trips to the hospital had always been routine trips. but the trip on November 19th was not at all routine”.

Karen went to pick Mr. Hodges up for his scheduled ride, however, when he woke up that morning, he was very sick. He said “When I heard the HIRTA bus honk, I decided I would let it honk a few times and it would go away, but it did not stop honking, and it did not go away”.

He finally went out to let the driver know he wasn’t going. Later Karen told him “You told me you didn’t want to go. However, you were not wearing shoes and your shirt was inside out. So I told you to back inside and put on shoes and a coat because you are going to the hospital.” She got him onto the bus and immediately drove him to the Emergency room.

Karen knew his habits. She knew he was always quick to come out and board the bus, and that he had never been a “no-show”. So she persisted in getting him to come out and get on the bus. Gregg will tell you “Her persistence, and her compassion, saved my life”.

Later that evening he was transferred to Cedar Rapid’s St. Luke’s Hospital where he was given emergency treatment. He doesn’t remember much of what happened after getting off the bus at the ER, but five weeks after she picked him up he says “I feel better than I have felt in years”.

HIRTA’s Executive Director, Julia Castillo says “We are all very proud of Karen and honored to have our board present her with a Certificate of Recognition for going above and beyond to save the life of one our riders”.

Mr. Hodges was told he only had a day or two left to live, but he was too delirious to realize just how sick he was. He said “Karen didn’t give up on me, and what she did has touched me and many others. She has sent a healing ripple into the world”.

Julia Castillo says “Karen is a bright light in this world, and we are fortunate to have her on the HIRTA
team”.

Karen Dont, Newton HIRTA driver