It was one of those typical mornings driving to work southbound on I-75.

I was in the farthest right lane approaching Northside Drive. I noticed a white bus exiting from the HOV lane onto the Northside Drive HOV exit lane.

AJC graphic artist Michael Dabrowa.

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What caught my eye was that it was not slowing down. No red brake lights. I gauged it was going between 60 and 70 mph based on my speed.

I passed under Northside Drive thinking, "Did it stop?"

I looked in my rear-view mirror and saw the bus break through the barrier, flip end over end and land right in the center of southbound I-75 about 500 feet behind me. It was like the tractor trailer scene from the "Terminator II" — a huge vehicle flying through the air.

It was horrific. I just could not believe what I saw.

The cluster of cars behind me stopped or veered out of the way just in time. I immediately thought about stopping myself. I was by that time making the turn that would pass the 10th Street exit, and I figured by the time I stopped and walked back, I would have just been a spectator, not much help.

I fumbled for my cell phone to call 911. I punched in the number, but I misdialed. I was shaking too much to try again.

I reassured myself that someone else had done it right. So I headed straight to work to report what I just saw, to unload details of this huge accident, to talk to someone.

• Audio slideshow: Hear Dabrowa tell the story