A Clayton County road was shut down for hours Wednesday after a car crashed into a MARTA bus.
Ga. 85 in Riverdale was blocked at the Valley Hill Road intersection while authorities responded to the crash. According to the transit agency, a car tried to pass the bus and the two collided about 6 a.m. Both vehicles then crashed into a utility pole.
The bus driver, a MARTA passenger and the driver of the car were all injured, MARTA spokeswoman Stephany Fisher told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The extent of their injuries was not disclosed.
⚠️TRAVEL ADVISORY 6:53a Riverdale: Hwy 85/nb shut down at Valley Hill Rd. #atltraffic @wsbradio #skycopter @wsbtv #captncam pic.twitter.com/URIM63ZbbM
— Mark McKay (@mckayWSB) May 19, 2021
Marcus Brown said he takes MARTA to work every day and was on his way to catch the bus when he came upon the crash scene.
“When I woke up this morning, I heard a loud noise that sounded like a transformer had blew up or something,” he said. “Then I came around the corner, and I saw ... this car into that pole right there.”
It is common for drivers to try to pass the bus while “trying to beat the light,” he said. Brown said he did not know which driver was operating the route Wednesday but extended his wishes for a speedy recovery.
Credit: John Spink
Credit: John Spink
The bus appeared to have sustained significant front-end damage in the crash. The car’s front was also crumpled and it ended up on its side. According to Channel 2 Action News, the driver of the car was taken to a hospital.
Georgia Power crews worked all afternoon to repair the broken utility pole and restore power to the area.
