A Walker County school bus driver has been cited after a Tuesday morning crash that left ten students injured when the bus veered off a rural road and slammed into a tree, according to the Georgia State Patrol.
Authorities say the driver, 48-year-old Amanda Broyles, failed to maintain her lane while navigating a curve along Cook Road in LaFayette. The incident occurred around 7:15 a.m. on September 9 as the bus was heading southbound.
According to investigators, the bus left the roadway, traveled along the right shoulder, and struck a tree with the front right side of the vehicle. The impact was severe enough to jam both the front entrance and the emergency exit door, temporarily trapping those inside.
Of the 37 students on board, ten were injured. Five of those students were transported to Children’s Hospital at Erlanger in Chattanooga for further evaluation. Officials have not disclosed the specific nature of the injuries but reported that none appear to be life-threatening.
Broyles was issued a citation for failure to maintain lane.
The bus was transporting students from Naomi Elementary, LaFayette Middle, and LaFayette High School at the time of the crash, according to Walker County Schools Superintendent Damon Raines.
The Georgia State Patrol continues to investigate the incident.
Photo Gallery Courtesy of WTVC Chattanooga
