Twenty-five people were transported to hospitals after a school bus carrying members of Salem High School’s football team overturned following a collision with a passenger vehicle in Rockdale County, Georgia, late Friday night, October 23.
The crash happened near the intersection of Georgia State Route 138 and Interstate 20 as the team was returning from an away football game against Greater Atlanta Christian School. The accident prompted a major emergency response and forced authorities to close the affected roadway while crews worked at the scene.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, the bus was carrying 27 people, including 17 football players, seven trainers, two coaches and the driver. Investigators said the bus driver, identified in local reports as 74-year-old Walter Hackett, lost control while attempting to turn onto State Route 138 after exiting eastbound I-20.
The bus crossed traffic lanes and collided with a black Kia Soul before leaving the roadway and overturning onto its passenger side. The Kia was driven by 35-year-old Calvin Harling, according to reports.
Students and staff taken to hospitals
Rockdale County Public Schools confirmed that 22 students and three adults were transported for medical treatment. At least one student was airlifted to a hospital, while other injured passengers were taken by ambulance or brought for treatment by their families.
The district said there were no fatalities. By Saturday afternoon, officials reported that all but one hospitalized student had been released. The conditions of those involved were not fully disclosed, and authorities have not publicly identified all the injured passengers.
The bus driver and the Kia driver were also transported to hospitals following the collision.
School community responds
The accident left students, families, coaches and school staff shaken as they awaited updates on the injured. School district officials expressed gratitude to emergency responders, medical professionals and staff members who assisted those affected.
Support was also made available to students and families coping with the incident. The response included efforts to help reunite students with their families and provide assistance following the crash.
Investigation remains ongoing
The Georgia State Patrol’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Although investigators have reported that the bus driver lost control while attempting to turn, authorities have not announced a final determination of the cause.
The incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with highway travel, particularly when large vehicles must navigate busy intersections and merging traffic. For the Salem High School community, attention remains focused on the recovery of the injured students and staff and on supporting the families affected by the crash.
