Wrightsville woman killed after running into back of Laurens County school bus

A 70-year-old Wrightsville woman died after she drove her car into the back of a Laurens County school bus stopped to pick up a student Thursday morning near Brewton.

Marsha Smith was pronounced dead from multiple blunt force trauma from a wreck around 7:53 a.m. Thursday, May 7, said Laurens County Deputy Coroner Nathan Stanley. 

Georgia State Patrol Sgt. Brian Jones said Smith was driving a SUV and hit the bus from behind.

“The bus was stopped at a private driveway with all of its flashing lights and a stop sign initiated,” Jones said. “A vehicle approached from the rear, failed to stop and drove into the back, rear-ending the school bus.”

The bus had 26 children on board plus the driver, Jones said. Ten of the children reported complaints of injury but had no visible injuries. They were evaluated by EMS on the scene. 

Stanley said the call came into Laurens County 911 about a wreck involving a school bus near 941 Brewton Lovett Road. Laurens County Superintendent O.J. Hall was glad that none of the students were seriously injured. He said the bus driver was shaken up. 

“He is a great guy, a great employee, and it was one of those unfortunate things,” Hall said. “There was nothing that he could have done differently. The bus was at a complete stop and preparing to load a student. You just hate it for everyone who was involved.” 

Hall praised the response from law enforcement, first responders and school officials.

“We had our people on the scene as well as principals from the Eastside to help with parents,” Hall said. “Pat Brock was working with me to get communication out so that their parents would know that their students were safe. We know this could have been so much worse. We are thankful no one on the bus was hurt, but pray for the family of the driver.”