Father charged after Dawson County middle school student killed in school bus crash

HALL COUNTY, Ga. - The father of a Dawson County middle school student killed in a car wreck on Wednesday morning faces charges resulting from the crash.

According to the Georgia State Patrol, 33-year-old Lonnie Anderson of Dawsonville was driving a Ford Mustang on Georgia Highway 60 northbound when the car hydroplaned and struck a school bus in the southbound lane. The car then rotated counter-clockwise and hit the bus again. The crash killed Anderson’s 13-year-old daughter, Summer, who was a seventh-grader at Dawson County Middle School.

Anderson’s 12-year-old brother, Zachary, survived the crash, but suffered extensive injuries. He had surgery Thursday and family members said his condition was improving. They said he had to undergo facial reconstruction.

The children’s father, Lonnie Anderson, was seriously hurt and rushed to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville. Family members said he had to undergo surgery to repair a broken shoulder and shattered pelvis. He also suffered two broken legs and some small bleeding in the brain.

Hall County Fire Services said 19 students were on the school bus when the wreck happened. According to the GSP, three of the students suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital. The bus driver, 65-year-old Barbara Flowers, also complained of an injury. All were later released.

GSP troopers said Anderson will be charged with failure to maintain lane and slick tires.

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