GSP: Pickup truck driver ‘failed to yield’ before colliding with school bus

CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — A pickup truck failed to yield before striking a Habersham County school bus on GA 197 South Thursday afternoon, according to the Georgia State Patrol.

The Sept. 3 wreck happened near the GA 365 interchange around 4 p.m.

GSP said a Chevrolet Silverado driven by 64-year-old Dawn Howington of Clarkesville was traveling east on the GA 365 exit ramp and stopped at the stop sign at GA 197. A Habersham County school bus driven by 28-year-old Abigail Bailey of Demorest was traveling north on GA 197.

Failure to yield

According to the preliminary investigation, Howington attempted to turn left onto GA 197 but failed to yield to the bus. The Silverado’s right-front quarter panel struck the left side of the bus.

Both vehicles came to a controlled stop facing north on the east shoulder of GA 197.

The State Patrol reported that a juvenile passenger on the bus complained of a minor injury. That differs slightly from information Superintendent Patrick Franklin provided immediately following the wreck, when he said no students or school employees were injured.

The crash brought traffic to a standstill as emergency crews worked at the scene. Photos showed a streak of black paint extending down the driver’s side of the bus.

A witness reported seeing at least two students being evaluated at the scene for what appeared to be minor injuries.

Keeping students cool and calm

First responders ushered the children from the bus onto a nearby embankment, where they waited in the heat for rides home. Emergency crews provided them with water and used fans to help keep them cool.

Many parents learned of the wreck directly from their children. Franklin said students with cellphones contacted their parents, while school administrators called the remaining families from the scene. Some parents arrived to pick up their children, and another school bus was seen at the scene.

“I want to personally thank our Sheriff’s Office, Fire/EMS, Georgia State Patrol, and school personnel for their service and dedication to our students and their safety,” Franklin said.

The Georgia State Patrol did not say whether any charges are pending against Bailey.