MARTA patrons board a bus at a stop on Buford Highway at North Cliff Valley Way, where a man ran from across the street to hail a bus overnight Thursday and killed when he was caught underneath its wheel.
Photo: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM
Photo: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM

UPDATE: Man crushed, killed while trying to catch MARTA bus in Brookhaven

DeKalb Co.
By

A man trying to catch a MARTA bus in Brookhaven was killed early Thursday when he became caught underneath the bus, according to the Georgia State Patrol.

The man, who has not been identified, ran through traffic to hail MARTA bus No. 1709 after it left a bus stop on Buford Highway at North Cliff Valley Way. GSP officials said he banged on the side of the bus to get the driver’s attention.

“He came to the very rear, the last set of wheels ... and started to hit the bus trying to get it to stop,” Sgt. Stacey Collins said. “And that’s when he got caught into and under the bus.”

The man was discovered soon after, when the 10 passengers on board told the driver they heard something and he pulled the bus to a stop. 

MARTA patrons board a bus at a stop on Buford Highway at North Cliff Valley Way, where a man ran from across the street to hail a bus overnight. He was killed when he was caught underneath its wheel. JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM

Troopers believe the pedestrian, who was not in or close to a crosswalk, was at fault, Channel 2 Action News reported.

“It appears that alcohol may have played a role in the pedestrian, but that’s still under investigation at this time,” Collins said.

MARTA police and the GSP are investigating the incident. The intersection of Buford Highway and Briarwood Road was shut down overnight and reopened about 5 a.m.

The bus driver is not expected to face charges, according to the GSP.

—Please return to AJC.com for updates.

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