Video shows bus driver fall asleep, crash into tree with passengers aboard

ATLANTA -- Video from inside a metro Atlanta transit bus shows the moments a driver fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into a tree with passengers inside.

An automated message appeared to wake him up after he missed a green turn signal around 11:07 a.m. on Sept. 7 in Dunwoody, Georgia.

Less than 10 minutes later, his hands are off the wheel as he appears to doze off again.

Within seconds, he's crossing lanes, veering off the road and crashing into trees.

Attorney Joshua Schiffer says investigators have a lot to look at.

"We are always looking for sleep issues when you see an accident of this type because it's surprisingly common for drivers to lose consciousness, as frightening as that is, due to the regularity of what they do for a living," Schiffer said.

In a statement, Dunwoody police confirmed the driver fell asleep before failing to regain control Monday morning.

The driver is now facing charges of distracted driving and failure to maintain lane. Police have not released his identity.

"It's very clear to me that this driver suffered a sleep incident and drove this bus off the road," Schiffer said.

The two passengers on board both reported injuries. One was tossed across the bus as the crash took place. The other grabbed his back as it came to a stop.

"Most of these cases, the injured parties will be able to pursue a successful claim if it is determined that the driver caused the accident due to their own negligence and a medical incident," Schiffer explained.

In a statement, MARTA said the safety of its riders and employees is its highest priority.