Sheriff: Peach student steals bus, causes serious wreck

Authorities say a Peach County High School student stole a school bus during Friday night’s football game and caused a wreck in which a woman was injured.

Sheriff Terry Deese, who went to the scene of the accident, said it happened on Ga. 49 at the Ga. 49 connector.

He said the 15-year-old youth turned in front of a vehicle being driven by a Fort Valley woman and caused a collision. The woman was trapped in the vehicle and had to be cut out.

The youth was not injured and was taken into custody. He is currently charged with auto theft by the Fort Valley Police Department.

The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the wreck. Sgt. Craig Smith said the juvenile will additionally be charged with violating his learner’s permit and failure to yield the right of way. He said the wreck happened at about 9:24 p.m.

Smith said the bus was a 2016 Blue Bird. The youth was traveling north on Ga. 49 when he attempted to turn left onto the Ga. 49 connector. Mary Nelson Carson, 62, of Fort Valley, was traveling south on Ga. 49 in a 2004 Toyota Tundra when the juvenile turned in front of her.

Smith said Carson was taken to the Medical Center, Navicent Health, and was listed in stable condition. He did not believe her injuries were life threatening.

Deese said the juvenile did not give any explanation for his actions. Deese said he was not aware of any previous contact the juvenile had with law enforcement.

This story was originally published August 29, 2015 at 9:30 PM with the headline "Sheriff: Peach student steals bus, causes serious wreck ."