School Bus Carrying Georgia Football Team Overturns; 25 Hurt

A school bus carrying Salem High School's football team home from an away game overturned late Friday night in Rockdale County, Georgia, injuring 25 people in a crash that, miraculously, killed no one. The bus rolled over at the intersection of Georgia State Route 138 and Interstate 20 at around 10:45 p.m., according to the Georgia State Patrol.

There were 27 passengers aboard. Twenty-two students and three adults were rushed to hospitals for treatment, and one student was airlifted from the scene, Rockdale County Public Schools confirmed. Only one student remained hospitalized as of Saturday, according to the district.

What Investigators Say Happened

Investigators believe the bus's 74-year-old driver lost control while making a right turn onto SR-138 from the I-20 eastbound exit. The bus slid across the highway's northbound and southbound lanes and struck a 35-year-old man driving a Kia Soul before rolling over on the side of the roadway. Both the bus driver and the driver of the Kia were among those taken to hospitals.

The crash left a scene that could easily have been far worse: a loaded team bus, a rollover, a second vehicle involved — and, in the end, no fatalities. First responders, medical professionals and school staff were credited by the district for their response through the night.

"Deeply Grateful There Were No Fatalities"

"Our thoughts remain with everyone affected. We are grateful to the first responders, medical professionals, and Salem and RCPS staff members who cared for our students and adults," the district said in a statement. To protect the privacy of students and families, the district said it would not release names or additional medical information.

"We are deeply grateful that there were no fatalities and that many have been treated and released," Superintendent Stephanie Johnson said. The investigation into the crash is continuing, and the district said its focus remains on the recovery of the students and staff who were hurt.

After the Crash

Crashes involving team buses occupy a raw place in school communities: the bus is the trusted routine of high school sports, the vehicle that carries teenagers to Friday-night games and home again. When one overturns, the shock extends well beyond the roster — to parents who waited for word, to students who learned of the crash from their phones, and to the drivers and staff entrusted with the trip.

School transportation is, by the numbers, among the safest ways for students to travel, and districts review their procedures after any serious incident — routes, driver schedules, vehicle condition and the demands placed on drivers late at night after long away games. The Georgia State Patrol's investigation will establish the facts of this crash; the district's own review will follow. What the community is holding onto this weekend is the outcome that matters most: twenty-seven people went into the night on that bus, twenty-five were hurt — and every one of them survived.

The crash also briefly shut down lanes around the interchange as emergency crews worked through the night, and motorists were diverted while the scene was cleared and investigators documented the wreckage. State patrol officials said the full reconstruction of the crash would take time, and they asked any witnesses who had not yet spoken with investigators to come forward.

Counselors and support staff will be available for Salem students and families as the school community processes the crash in the days ahead.