A MARTA bus driver is facing charges after police said he appeared to fall asleep while driving before the bus left the roadway and crashed into a tree in Dunwoody, injuring three people.
The crash happened Monday morning, Sept. 7, on North Shallowford Road in the Dunwoody area of DeKalb County. Two passengers were aboard the bus along with the driver when it left the road and struck a tree.
Newly released video from inside the bus shows the driver taking his hands off the steering wheel and lowering his head several times. The bus then continues across lanes and toward the side of the roadway.
The driver appears to react after the bus moves off the road. He grabs the steering wheel and tries to regain control, but the bus crashes into a tree.
The impact sent the tree through the front windshield and caused the bus to come to rest off the roadway. Multiple parked vehicles were also damaged when the tree fell.
All three people aboard the bus were injured. Police previously said the injuries were not considered life-threatening, while the driver was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Dunwoody police later confirmed that the driver had been charged with distracted driving and failure to maintain lane. His name has not been released.
The charges follow the release of video that provides additional information about what happened immediately before the crash. Earlier reports had not established the cause of the bus leaving the roadway.
MARTA said it is reviewing the incident.
“As always, the safety of our riders and employees is our highest priority,” the transit agency said.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details about the crash and the driver’s case could be released as authorities continue their review.
