DEMOREST, Ga. — Nearly a month after a Habersham County school bus overturned on Cannon Bridge Road, questions remain about the driver’s status and the extent of the damage to the bus. Habersham County School Superintendent Patrick Franklin responded Monday evening to inquiries from Now Habersham regarding that crash.
In an email reply to questions he required be emailed to him, Franklin thanked Now Habersham for reaching out, saying, “Mr. Lewallen is a valued staff member of our school system. As this is a personnel matter, I cannot go into further details.”
He added that the district is “awaiting the adjuster to access the bus at this point” and said no further information about the cost of repairs or the bus’s condition was available.
September 26 bus crash
According to the Georgia State Patrol, the crash occurred around 2:42 p.m. on September 26 on Cannon Bridge Road/GA 105 near Twin River Orchard Road. Investigators said the bus, driven by 58-year-old Ronald Lewallen of Demorest, was traveling west when it veered off the north shoulder and rolled down an embankment, coming to rest on its right side.
Lewallen told troopers he swerved off the road to avoid hitting a vehicle that had stopped to make a left turn after he briefly waved at three other buses he routinely passes on the route. No students were on board, and no injuries were reported. The bus was towed from the scene due to damage.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, troopers issued a “courtesy warning” to Lewallen.
Based on Franklin’s comments, it appears that Lewallen remains employed by the Habersham County School System; however, it’s unclear whether he is currently driving. The Superintendent also did not respond to questions about whether the crash prompted additional training or policy reviews within the transportation department.
