A Cartersville man was arrested Thursday after authorities said he nearly hit a 15-year-old girl while passing a stopped school bus.
The girl was crossing the street to board the bus Tuesday morning on Young Road near Cartersville when she was forced to jump out of the way, according to the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office.
In video released Thursday, the bus comes to a stop before the girl starts across the road about 7:10 a.m. The caution lights and stop arm on the bus were activated, Sheriff Clark Millsap said.
Credit: Bartow County Sheriff's Office
Credit: Bartow County Sheriff's Office
The bus driver, Shannon Banks, saw that a truck coming up from behind was not going to stop, the sheriff said. Banks began to blow her horn to alert the student, who stepped in front of the bus just in time to miss the truck passing on the left.
The incident set off a search for the driver of “the distinctive older pickup truck,” Millsap said. Other Bartow County bus drivers reported seeing the truck parked in front of a home on Ga. 3.
The home’s resident, identified as 42-year-old Blake Tyson Lockwood, was arrested Thursday after deputies conducted interviews and vehicle inspections.
He is being held in the Bartow County Jail on a $3,850 bond on charges of reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, failure to stop for a loading school bus, failure to obey stop sign, unsafe driving and improper right turn. He is also facing a charge of tampering with evidence after allegedly removing his tag.
Banks’ quick actions could have saved the girl from serious injury, Millsap said. The bus driver was recognized with a letter of thanks from the sheriff.
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