School Bus Crash in DeKalb County Sends Driver and Students to Hospital

Heavy rain was a factor in the multi-vehicle collision near Montclair Elementary School.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 1:23pm

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A DeKalb County school bus carrying 29 students to Montclair Elementary School was involved in a crash on Clairmont Road in Brookhaven, Georgia on Thursday morning. The bus driver and four students were taken to the hospital for evaluation after the collision, which occurred as heavy rain moved through the metro Atlanta area.

Why it matters

School bus crashes can have serious consequences, especially when weather conditions like heavy rain are involved. This incident raises concerns about student and driver safety during hazardous driving conditions and the need for extra precautions to protect vulnerable road users.

The details

According to officials, a vehicle ran a red light on Clairmont Road, striking the school bus. The initial collision caused the bus to then hit another vehicle, sending both the bus and the other car off the road and onto an embankment. The bus driver and four students were transported to the hospital, while the remaining 25 students were taken to Montclair Elementary on another bus.

  • The crash happened on Thursday morning, March 12, 2026.
  • As much as 0.90 inches of rain had fallen in the area since midnight.

The players

DeKalb County Schools

The school district that operates the bus involved in the crash.

Lt. Cory Van Alen

A law enforcement official who provided details about the incident.

Montclair Elementary School

The school the bus was transporting students to when the crash occurred.

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What they’re saying

“A vehicle ran the red traffic signal on Claremont Road, striking the school bus. That initial collision caused the school bus to strike another vehicle. They ended up on the embankment on Claremont Road.”

— Lt. Cory Van Alen (wsbradio.com)

“We are grateful to first responders and law enforcement for their quick response and care for our students and driver.”

— DeKalb County Schools spokesperson (wsbradio.com)

What’s next

Officials say the road is expected to be cleared by 10 a.m.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of driver caution and school bus safety protocols, especially during inclement weather, to protect students and staff from the risks of traffic collisions.