# 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.
- Title: Atlanta bus driver appears to doze off before crashing into…
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: public transit, bus crash, drowsy driving, atlanta, road safety, news, local, bus, driver, appears, doze, crashing
- Source: Valleynewslive — https://valleynewslive.com/2026/09/15/video-shows-city-bus-driver-appearing-fall-asleep-before-crashing-into-several-trees
- Published: 2026-09-15T20:40:51.341+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: public transit, bus crash, drowsy driving, atlanta, road safety, news, local
## 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.
## Key takeaway

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.