Atlanta Man Crashes Into School Bus During Douglas County Chase

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — An Atlanta man is accused of hitting a school bus while fleeing from authorities with a pistol in his car Thursday in the Stone Wood Subdivision, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies were attempting to stop a blue BMW sedan around 7:15 a.m. at Fairburn Road near Old Lee Road, authorities said. While deputies were trying to conduct the traffic stop, the driver of the car fled from a gas station, authorities said.

The deputies eventually lost sight of the car in the area of Mack Road and West County Line, authorities said.

A deputy patroled the Stone Wood Subdivision, where the car was found after hitting a school bus on Oak Leaf Lane, authorities said. Twelve students were onboard the bus at the time, authorities said.

The driver had run into nearby woods, and a pistol was found in the car's floorboard, authorities said.

While students were in the area waiting at bus stops, all available deputies, investigators and command staff members quickly conducted a thorough search of the area for the driver, authorities said.

The driver was arrested shortly afterwards while hiding in a shed, authorities said.

The students and school bus driver were not injuried in the investigation, authorities said.

Michael Crowder, of Atlanta, is charged on suspicion of felony fleeing, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, hit and run, obstruction of a law enforcement officer, criminal damage to government property, reckless driving, use of a license plate to conceal the identity of a vehicle and failure to stop at a stop sign, authorities said.