Georgia school bus driver faces felony after 12-year-old girl hit by SUV

A Richmond County school bus driver was charged Monday after a middle school student was hit by an SUV while getting off the bus last week, according to multiple media reports.

Talunda Evet Martin Smith, 35, of Hephzibah, is accused of not activating the bus' flashing lights and stop sign before the Dec. 16 incident, the Augusta Chronicle reported.

A 12-year-old girl got off the bus just after 5:45 p.m. and was hit by a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban as she attempted to cross Old Waynesboro Road, the newspaper reported. The girl was dragged about 100 feet.

The Pine Hill Middle School student was conscious when first responders arrived, the Chronicle reported. She was taken to Augusta University Medical Center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office told the newspaper that the SUV’s driver was too close to avoid hitting the child. That driver was not charged.

School officials later learned Smith turned on the bus’ warning lights and stop sign after the collision, the newspaper reported.

“We have cooperated fully with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office as they investigated this matter and we will continue to do so,” a Richmond County Schools spokesman told the Chronicle. “Our thoughts and concerns remain with our student and her family as she recovers.”