A quick-thinking Mount Vernon High School teacher saved a 32-pound turtle from a risky situation. Rosemarie Sanders, a science teacher, spotted the turtle on the road and got him to safety. Here is her story:

“Thursday morning I was coming to work.  Upon coming to my exit I saw a large object in the road.  I swerved and saw in my side-view a large turtle.  I backed up to the turtle and put on my flashers.  Not having traffic, I got out and started to nudge the turtle off the road. It’s a delicate procedure because he’s quick with the bite.  Once he was successfully off the road, I waved traffic on.
Naturally, the turtle crawled under my car and started to walk the length of my car.  I was looking under my car at the turtle when a gentleman asked if I was having car troubles.  I related the turtle tale to him.  He pulled down the road to park.  He ran up the ramp and saw the turtle as he stood defiantly at the curb. Looking at the narrow strip of grass and shear rock outcrop, we decided that this is no place for a turtle.  The man, I later found out to be Mr. Steve Borys, a social studies teacher at Eastchester High School.  He placed the turtle in my trunk. Upon arrival to MVHS, I spoke to fellow ecology teacher, Carl Caprio about the turtle.  I was told to keep him in the pond in the greenhouse.  Into the pond he went. Spike, as he came to be known for his spiky tail, became a bit of celebrity.  He was put into a bin on Friday afternoon and after consulting with the Department of Environmental Protection Police, I was told that Spike could be released to an area lake. Spike, weighing in at 32 pounds, is happily swimming away from other roads.”