Driver Charged In Head-On Collision With Church Bus

More details are in from the Georgia State Patrol on a head-on crash involving a church bus from Love and Hugs Christian Tabernacle in Conyers and a Lincoln Town Car that left 19 people injured.

Troopers say around 8:30 p.m. Thursday night, a Lincoln Town Car was traveling south on West Currahee Street (U.S. Hwy. 123) near the former Smokin’ Pig Barbecue in Toccoa when it crossed the center line and hit the church bus.

The Georgia State Patrol has charged the driver of the Lincoln Town Car, Ryan Thomas Bellamy, 31, of Toccoa with driving under the influence and crossing the center line.

Bellamy was extricated from his vehicle by the Toccoa Fire Department and airlifted to Northeast Georgia Medical Center with what was described as serious injuries.

According to the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, 18 of the injured were on the church bus that was headed for a retreat at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center. Of those injured, 13 were admitted to Stephens County Hospital with all but one released overnight, others were taken to Habersham Medical Center, and Ty Cobb Regional Medical Center.