CONYERS, Rockdale County, Ga., Oct. 25, 2026 — A Rockdale County school bus carrying the Salem High School football team rolled onto its side late on Friday night, October 23, near Interstate 20, injuring 25 people. One student remained hospitalized as of Saturday, according to school and state officials.
The bus was returning the team from an away game when it crashed along Highway 138 near I-20, the Rockdale County School District said. District officials reported the bus was carrying 17 players, seven trainers, two coaches and one driver, 27 people in all, when it flipped. The vehicle was left with a shattered windshield, heavy front-end damage, and a partially collapsed roof.
The Georgia State Patrol said the 74-year-old driver lost control while exiting I-20 eastbound, struck a car, and rolled the bus into a ditch along the shoulder. Twenty-five of those on board were hurt. First responders airlifted one student to a trauma center, while ambulances and parents arriving at the scene took other students and staff to area hospitals. Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Arthur M. Blank Hospital went on standby for a possible mass casualty event shortly after the crash was reported.
By Saturday, 24 patients had been treated and released, leaving one student still hospitalized. The school district has not released that student's name or condition. Crews blocked off the area near Old Salem Road while a wrecker lifted the bus from an embankment, and responders used a nearby commercial lot to stage replacement buses so uninjured students could reach their families.
The Georgia State Patrol has not said whether citations or charges will result from its investigation, which remains open.
We hope those who were hurt recover fully and quickly.
More on Crashes in Conyers, GA
This bus crash happened at Highway 138 and I-20 in Conyers, GA. We cover crashes across Rockdale County as they're reported, and you can browse the latest in our Rockdale County accident reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do most traffic accidents happen? A large share of crashes occur on busy highways and at interchanges, particularly where vehicles are merging, exiting, or changing speed quickly.
What are the most common causes of crashes like this? Investigators typically look at speed, driver error, road conditions, and mechanical issues; in bus crashes, loss of control while exiting or merging on a highway is a frequent factor.
What injuries are most common in bus accident crashes? Passengers usually suffer cuts, bruises, and head or neck injuries from being thrown against seats, windows, or the roof, especially when a bus rolls onto its side.
What to Do After a Bus Accident in Conyers, GA
If you or your child are involved in a school bus crash, seek medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor, since some symptoms like concussions or soft-tissue injuries can take hours to appear. Keep any paperwork from first responders or hospitals, and ask the school district for a copy of the incident report once it's available. If your child was on board, stay in contact with the school for updates on reunification procedures and counseling resources that may be offered after an event like this. Taking photos of visible injuries and writing down what you remember while it's fresh can also help later if questions arise about what happened.
