A man using a wheelchair was killed Thursday morning, October 8, 2026, when he was hit by a bus at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Pryor Road in Downtown Atlanta. Atlanta Police Department officers were called to the intersection at about 7:14 a.m. They found the 56-year-old man, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not released his name. Police said the man was crossing the street in a crosswalk against a red traffic signal when the bus struck him. The bus was operating under the FlixBus brand, a discount intercity bus service. The company said the vehicle belonged to an independent bus operator that serves routes between Orlando and Atlanta. No one on the bus reported any injuries. In a statement, Flix said it is in close contact with the operator and local authorities. The company said it understands that law enforcement has determined the driver was not at fault, and it offered its sympathies to those affected and to the man's family. Atlanta police are still investigating. Our thoughts are with the victim's family and loved ones.

Location and Infrastructure

Memorial Drive is one of Atlanta's main east–west corridors. It runs from Downtown east past Oakland Cemetery and through neighborhoods such as Reynoldstown and Kirkwood toward DeKalb County. The intersection with Pryor sits in Downtown's government district, near the Georgia State Capitol, Atlanta City Hall and the Georgia State University campus, and just west of the Downtown Connector (I-75/85). On weekday mornings the area carries heavy traffic from commuters, government workers, students, transit vehicles and buses, along with steady foot traffic. The intersection has traffic signals and marked crosswalks. Pedestrian safety on Downtown corridors has been a focus of the City of Atlanta's Vision Zero efforts. Multi-lane crossings can be especially hard for people using wheelchairs and other mobility devices, who may need more time to get across.

Legal Rights and Considerations

In Georgia, pedestrian and driver conduct is governed by Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.). This includes § 40-6-21 on traffic-control signals and § 40-6-91 on pedestrian right-of-way in crosswalks. Georgia uses a modified comparative negligence rule under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33. A party's recovery is reduced by their share of fault, and it is barred entirely if they are found 50 percent or more responsible. Georgia is an at-fault insurance state, and interstate passenger carriers are generally subject to federal minimum liability insurance requirements. A wrongful death claim under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2 may seek the "full value of the life" of the deceased. Separately, the estate may seek medical and funeral expenses. Under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, such claims generally must be filed within two years, although exceptions may apply. Families with questions about their rights may wish to speak with a licensed Georgia attorney.

Related Resources

Local Emergency Services

• Atlanta Police Department: 911 for emergencies; 404-658-6666 for non-emergencies. Website: https://www.atlantapd.org
• Atlanta Fire Rescue Department: https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/departments/atlanta-fire-rescue
• Grady Memorial Hospital (Level I Trauma Center): 80 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE, Atlanta. Website: https://www.gradyhealth.org
• Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office: https://www.fultoncountyga.gov

Local Traffic Safety Resources

• City of Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT) and Vision Zero: https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/departments/transportation
• Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety: https://www.gahighwaysafety.org
• Georgia Department of Transportation: https://www.dot.ga.gov
• PEDS, a Georgia pedestrian safety advocacy organization: https://www.peds.org

Support Services for Accident Victims and Families

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 for emotional support
• Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL): 1-800-715-4225
• Mental Health America of Georgia: https://www.mhageorgia.org

State Traffic Laws and Regulations

• Official Code of Georgia, Title 40 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic), through the Georgia General Assembly: https://www.legis.ga.gov
• Georgia Department of Driver Services Driver's Manual: https://dds.georgia.gov
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (bus and motor carrier safety): https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov
• Georgia Department of Public Safety, Motor Carrier Compliance Division: https://dps.georgia.gov