Overturned Salem High School bus injures 25 people

CONYERS, Ga. – An overturned school bus carrying the Salem High School football program sent 25 people to area hospitals late Friday night in Rockdale County, prompting a massive emergency response and ongoing crash investigation.

Highway 138 school bus crash

What we know:

Emergency personnel rushed 22 students and three staff members to medical centers after the bus crashed on Salem Road near Highway 138, just south of Interstate 20. The crash happened late Friday as players, coaches and trainers traveled back from an away football game.

Rockdale County Public Schools confirmed 27 people were aboard the district bus when it left the roadway and rolled onto its side against a construction barrier. First responders transported the injured passengers to multiple regional facilities for immediate care, with emergency crews airlifting at least 1 student to an area hospital.

Ongoing investigation

The collision happened at 10:48 p.m. Friday as a yellow 2025 Freightliner school bus was exiting Interstate 20 eastbound, according to the Georgia State Patrol. The bus driver, 74-year-old Walter Hackett of Conyers, lost control while attempting a right turn onto State Route 138 and crossed all lanes of traffic.

The bus struck a black Kia Soul driven by 35-year-old Calvin Harling of Covington in the left northbound lane. The impact spun the Kia 180 degrees before the bus ran off the east shoulder and made nearly a full rotation, landing on its passenger side.

All students have been accounted for, but upon arriving on scene, some students had been taken for medical treatment by their parents, others were transported via ambulance and 1 student was flown via Life Flight. Additionally, both Mr. Hackett and Mr. Harling were transported for treatment.

According to GSP, officials from the school and officials from National EMS are all working together to compile a complete list of students, injuries and which hospital each student went to and how they were transported.

School district response

District leaders confirmed that school and administrative personnel immediately deployed to hospitals to assist families during the aftermath.

“Twenty-two students and three staff members were transported for medical treatment. Thankfully, there were no causalities,” said Cindy Ball, chief community relations officer for Rockdale County Public Schools. “Our students and staff are receiving the care they need. School and district staff were at area hospitals to support them and their families and to check on everyone’s well-being. We will continue to share information as it becomes available.”

Head coach Fredrick Green survived the crash and is doing okay. He is currently working to locate where all the affected team members were taken for treatment.

Rockdale County Public Schools issued a statement via FaceBook stating, “Our hearts are with the Salem High School football players, athletic trainers, coaches, staff, and families impacted by last night’s bus accident. Twenty-two students and three adults were transported for medical treatment. We are thankful that there were no fatalities and that many of those transported have been treated and released.

School and district staff have been present at area hospitals to support our students, staff and families and to check on their well-being during this difficult time. The cause of the accident remains under investigation. We ask our community to continue to keep everyone involved in your thoughts as they recover.”

Crash by the numbers

By the numbers

27: Total people aboard the bus, including 17 student-athletes, seven trainers, two coaches and the driver.

25: Total people hospitalized for medical evaluation and treatment following the rollover.

22: High school students transported to medical centers from the crash scene.

3: Staff members taken to regional healthcare facilities.

2: Adults airlifted to trauma centers.

0: Fatalities reported in the collision.

Community and hospital response 

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Arthur M. Blank Hospital went on standby for a possible mass casualty event immediately following the accident. First responders cordoned off the corridor near Old Salem Road as a heavy wrecker hoisted the bus from an embankment.

Authorities utilized an adjacent commercial parking lot to stage secondary buses. This served as a reunification point where uninjured students could contact their families and head home safely.

NewsRockdale CountyConyers