Georgia school bus carrying a football team flips after driver, 74, veers across four lanes, leaving 25 in hospital

From the Newshound archive · first published 24 October 2026 · last updated 25 October 2026.

Walter Hackett, 74, was turning off Interstate 20 onto State Route 138 in Rockdale County when he lost control, according to the Georgia State Patrol. The bus ploughed into a Kia Soul driven by Calvin Harling, 35, then rolled almost a full turn. It was bringing Salem High School's team home to Conyers from an away game. One student was airlifted from the scene.

Twenty-two students and three adults were taken to hospitals late on Friday night.

By Saturday, just one student remained in hospital, the school district said.

Superintendent Stephanie Johnson said the cause of the crash 'remains under investigation'.