From Valleynewslive · · 1m 30s
Atlanta bus driver appears to doze off before crashing into trees
New video shows a MARTA driver's hands leaving the wheel moments before the bus went down an embankment and hit a tree.
In brief
New video shows a MARTA driver's hands leaving the wheel moments before the bus went down an embankment and hit a tree. The driver of a bus that crashed into trees near Atlanta appears to have fallen asleep at the wheel. He will be cited for distracted driving and failure to maintain his lane. Originally reported by…
Caught on camera
Newly released video appears to show an Atlanta-area bus driver falling asleep at the wheel. Moments later the bus crashed into several trees in DeKalb County.
Three people hurt
The crash happened Sept. 7 on North Shallowford Road. Three people on the bus were injured, and the driver was one of them.
Hands off the wheel
The driver takes his hands off the wheel and seems to doze off. He only wakes after the bus crosses a curb, goes down an embankment and hits at least one tree.
The injuries
The driver had severe cuts to his face and left arm, plus a possibly broken leg and pinkie. One passenger reported back and hip pain, and another had knee pain.
No memory of the crash
The driver told officials he didn't remember what happened. When he came to, the bus was already in the embankment.
Citations and a review
The driver will be cited for distracted driving and failure to maintain his lane. MARTA says it is reviewing the crash.
“As always, the safety of our riders and employees is our highest priority.”
The key point
The driver of a bus that crashed into trees near Atlanta appears to have fallen asleep at the wheel. He will be cited for distracted driving and failure to maintain his lane.
