Cherokee Sheriff Searching For Suspects In Bus Hit And Run

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — Investigators with the Cherokee Sheriff's Office Traffic Enforcement Unit are asking for assistance from the public in locating two "persons of interest" in connection with the early morning collision involving a Cherokee County School District bus Tuesday, Oct. 1 on Hightower Road.

Jordan Robert Henry Payne, 22, of Dawsonville, and Timothy James Lee Kimbarl, 17, of Dahlonega, are both wanted for questioning in the accident.

Just before 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 1, the school bus was traveling near Hwy 369 just east of Hwy 372 when a Honda Accord crossed the center line and hit the bus.

Cherokee Sheriff's spokesman Jay Baker said the driver of the Honda ran away and had not been found at the time.

Only one student was onboard but was not hurt and neither was the bus driver, the sheriff's office said.

If anyone has any information about the accident or knows where these individuals are they are urged to contact traffic investigators at 770-720-7079 or call 911.

Additionally, a vehicle was stolen near the accident scene Tuesday. The vehicle is a Burgundy 2004 Chevrolet Venture van with Ga. tag # RRW9285.

If anyone sees this vehicle they are urged to call 911. It is not known if the driver involved in the accident is responsible for the theft of the van but it is possible, the department said.