A late 1990s model Buick Century rear-ended a school bus late in the afternoon of Thursday, April 2, 2015 in Henry County, Georgia, costing an 8-year-old girl her life. Three people were traveling in the Buick at the time of the crash: a father and two children, a male aged 7 and a female 8 years of age. The children were restrained in the back seat at the time of the accident. However, the impact was such that the top half of the passenger side of the Buick was crushed under the bus, causing the death of the little girl in the back passenger seat.
The bus was reportedly driving eastward on Georgia State Route 20 when it slowed and stopped to release a passenger. The bus enabled its flashing light system to alert drivers of its intent to stop. However, the Buick was allegedly not able to stop in time, making a last-second swerve to avoid a collision, but to no avail. The driver’s side of the car was spared from deadly damage, but the passenger side of the car sustained severe damage on the crash.
The young male and the driver of the car both reported injuries resulting from the collision, but these injuries are not suspected of being life-threatening. No students on board the bus have reported injuries beyond bumps and bruises. It is not yet known whether substance abuse may have been a factor in this collision. Investigators have stated that it is possible that the Buick’s driver was fatigued and fell asleep while driving, thus causing the deadly crash.
The case is expected to go in front of a grand jury in the coming weeks pending completion of the investigation by local authorities. During this process, the father operating the Buick will learn whether or not he will be charged with a crime in relation to the accident that ended in the tragic death of a young child.