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Driver ID'd in wreck with school bus
No children hurt in collision on Hwy. 369 near Six Mile Creek
WEB bus wreck 3 jd
The impact pushed the car backward down Browns Bridge Road before both vehicles stopped in the westbound lane. - photo by Jim Dean

Authorities have identified the 27-year-old Forsyth County man killed Tuesday morning when the vehicle he was driving collided head-on with a school bus on Hwy. 369.

Brian Matthew Walker of Heatherwyn Way died in the violent collision, which authorities said happened about 8:40 a.m. between Little Mill Road and the Six Mile Creek bridge in northeastern Forsyth.

Walker was traveling alone, authorities said, and no students were on the bus.

Forsyth County school officials identified the bus driver as Michael Roth.

Roth was taken to Northside Hospital-Forsyth for evaluation, said Forsyth County Fire Capt. Jason Shivers.

Shivers said the man had complained of leg pain, but was in stable condition.

Forsyth County Sheriff's Investigator Ron Tomblin said Walker was heading east on Hwy. 369 when his white Toyota sedan crossed the centerline and struck the bus, which was traveling west toward Lake Lanier.

"We don't know why he crossed over," Tomblin said.

The impact knocked the hood off the bus and sent the Toyota into a ditch.

It appeared part of the Toyota went under the bus before it landed. Tomblin said the bus did not travel far after the impact.

Fire personnel worked for about 45 minutes to remove Walker from the vehicle, which was crushed.

Shivers explained that one of the tools they used is a type of ram that expands the doorway of a vehicle to allow for easier access inside.

Authorities said Roth likely will not face charges in the wreck, which shut down Hwy. 369, with traffic rerouted in both directions.