A DeKalb County School District bus carrying special needs students was forced off the road and into a ditch Tuesday morning after a collision on Klondike Road in Stonecrest, Georgia. The incident occurred in front of a residence in the 2900 block of Klondike Road, when a car struck the bus and pushed it off the roadway. Seven occupants were aboard the bus at the time — five special needs children and two adult bus monitors. Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene to assist those involved. Fortunately, none of the five children sustained injuries. Both adult bus monitors, however, were transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries. School district officials confirmed the details of the crash and the status of those on board. The investigation into the circumstances of the collision, including the actions of the driver of the car involved, remains ongoing.

Location and Infrastructure

The crash occurred on Klondike Road in the Stonecrest area of DeKalb County, Georgia. Stonecrest, an incorporated city in southeastern DeKalb County, is a largely residential and commercially developing community located in the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. Klondike Road is a surface street that passes through residential neighborhoods in this part of Stonecrest. The 2900 block, where the crash occurred, sits adjacent to private residences, indicating a neighborhood roadway environment where school bus routes regularly operate. Road conditions, traffic control devices, and contributing environmental factors at the time of the crash have not been specified in initial reports. DeKalb County roads in this corridor handle a mix of commuter and local residential traffic during morning hours, when school bus operations are at their peak activity.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Individuals injured in accidents involving school district vehicles and private automobiles in Georgia may have legal rights and avenues for compensation under state law. Georgia's fault-based insurance system means the at-fault driver's liability insurance may be responsible for covering medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering for injured parties. Claims involving government entities, such as a school district, may be subject to the Georgia Tort Claims Act, which imposes specific notice requirements and filing deadlines — often as short as 12 months. Georgia's general statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the incident. Both bus monitors transported to the hospital may wish to document all medical treatment carefully. Workers' compensation coverage through the school district may also apply to employees injured in the course of their duties. Consulting with a qualified attorney regarding the specific facts of this case is advisable.

Related Resources

Local Emergency Services

• DeKalb County Police Department: (770) 724-7850
• DeKalb County Fire Rescue: (770) 724-7810
• Stonecrest City Hall: (678) 671-1717

Traffic Safety Resources

• Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) — Incident Reporting: www.511ga.org
• DeKalb County Department of Transportation: (404) 371-2500
• Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety: www.gahighwaysafety.org

Support Services for Accident Victims

• Georgia Crisis & Access Line (GCAL): 1-800-715-4225
• DeKalb Community Service Board: (404) 892-4646
• Georgia Legal Aid (general civil legal assistance): www.georgialegalaid.org

State Traffic Laws and Regulations

• Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) Title 40 — Motor Vehicles and Traffic: www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/gacode
• Georgia Department of Driver Services: www.dds.georgia.gov
• Georgia Tort Claims Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-21-20 et seq.)