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Bus driver injured in head-on crash with SUV near Cobb high school

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — A school bus driver was taken to a hospital Thursday morning after a head-on crash with an SUV near Marietta High School.

A 16-year-old Marietta High student told police he lost control of his vehicle while coming around a curve on Manning Road and crashed into the bus. Two middle school students were on board at the time, Marietta police spokesman Officer Chuck McPhilamy said.

“He says that he lost control of the vehicle and entered the oncoming lane and struck a school bus that was coming at him, head on,” McPhilamy said.

News Chopper 2 was over the scene around 8:15 a.m.

The severity of the accident was so violent, police said the SUV actually hit the bus twice.

“It spun around backwards with the back of the SUV that struck the back of the school bus with its back wheels, so you actually had two different impacts between these same two vehicles,” McPhilamy said.

The 16-year-old, his 16-year-old passenger and both middle school students were checked by paramedics at the scene and decided not to go to a hospital, McPhilamy ​​​​​​said. They were released to their parents.

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The bus driver’s injuries are not serious.

“We are incredibly grateful that no one was more seriously injured,” McPhilamy said.

The school bus is wrecked into a tree on one side of the road, and the SUV ended up in some bushes on the other side, according to police.

The Marietta Police Department said Manning Road was closed until 10 a.m.

Neighbors say this stretch of road is known for speeding and crashes.

“I wish the police would be out here at least during those times when the kids are going to school and when they are being released,” a neighbor said.

The 16-year-old driver was charged with failure to maintain lane, driving too fast for conditions and violation of Class D driver's license restrictions.

Chelsea Prince, with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, contributed to this article.

Cox Media Group

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