School Bus Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Georgia School Bus Driver Killed in ‘Tragic’ Parking Lot Accident

Sandra Goodman, a driver for Landmark Christian School, experiences an issue with her bus’s emergency brake and goes out to check the vehicle, but as she does, the vehicle rolls forward, pinning her underneath.

Sadiah Thompson
Sadiah ThompsonAssistant Editor
September 2, 2021
Georgia School Bus Driver Killed in ‘Tragic’ Parking Lot Accident

 

Credit:

File photo.

2 min to read


A 66-year-old bus driver for a private school in Georgia died Friday in what officials have described as a “tragic accident.”

The driver, identified as Sandra Goodman, was parked at Landmark Christian School in Fairburn, when she experienced an issue with her bus’s emergency brake, Jason McMaster, the head of the school, told School Bus Fleet.

Ad Loading...

When Goodman proceeded to get out of the vehicle to check what was wrong, McMaster said the bus unexpectedly rolled forward, leaving her caught underneath.

Goodman, who came out of retirement two years ago to work was a part-time driver for Landmark, was described by McMaster as a “great staff member” who “took full advantage of being a part of every kids life.”

Prior to joining Landmark, Goodman spent 30 years as a bus driver for Fulton County Schools, where her husband, Ray, currently works as a bus driver.

“We’re praying for Ray and the rest of their family,” McMaster added. “We will continue to support them and our staff during this difficult time.”

The Georgia State Patrol and Department of Transportation were called to the scene on Friday to conduct independent inspections of the vehicle, however, no mechanical issues were found. McMaster said it was later determined that Goodman left the bus in gear before stepping off. No students were on board the bus at the time.

Ad Loading...

A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Goodman's family. As of press time, the page has exceeded its $10,000 fundraising goal.

More Safety

School Bus Fleet’s The Route graphic featuring two people alongside the text, “The Secret to Better Bus Driver Training (It’s Not the Curriculum),” sponsored by IC Bus.
Sponsoredby Amanda HuggettSeptember 15, 2026

How to Build a Better School Bus Driver Training Program

Is it time to strengthen your driver training? Here’s how to pick the right talent and improve recruitment, retention, and safety. This video is brought to you by IC Bus.

Read More →
Graphic showing a yellow school bus behind a shattered-glass effect with the text, “Fatal Accident in a Bus Lot & Students Struck Near Bus Stops, Sept. 8–9, 2026.”
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsSeptember 13, 2026

Recent School Bus Accidents Leave 2 Dead, 2 Injured

Four school bus crashes in Florida, Illinois, and Georgia highlight risks in transportation lots, at bus stops, and during student loading and unloading.

Read More →
A female school bus driver in bus driver's seat speaking on radio with an inset of female with headphones looking at two monitors and buses in the background
SponsoredSeptember 8, 2026

When Every Second Matters, Clarity Keeps Routes Moving

From routine delays to urgent incidents, strong communication practices help drivers, dispatchers, schools, and families respond with confidence.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Firefighters spray water on a smoking Marietta City Schools school bus during a fire response drill.
Safetyby Amanda HuggettSeptember 8, 2026

What Happens When a School Bus Catches Fire — and What Can Help

School bus fires are rare but can be devastating. Learn how advances in fire suppression and asset protection help fleets detect fires earlier, reduce damage, and improve safety.

Read More →
Graphic promoting Geotab’s new fleet investigation tool, featuring a screenshot of the MyGeotab platform showing an incident timeline, vehicle activity, and mapped route data.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseSeptember 1, 2026

Geotab Launches Tool to Help Fleets Investigate Road Incidents

Geotab Investigations combines telematics data, video, documents, and other evidence to help fleets reconstruct incidents, resolve claims, and determine what happened.

Read More →
Student-created poster titled “Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes” shows a yellow school bus at a crosswalk, students waiting nearby, and school bus safety reminders about stopping, school zones, safe pickup and drop-off, and buckling up.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseAugust 31, 2026

Texas Sixth Grader Wins 2026 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest

Sai Darshana Yekolu of Moseley Middle School in Prosper, Texas, was named the newest winner for her artwork, bringing the theme of “Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes” to life.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Cover of a Pro-Vision whitepaper titled “Doing More With Less: A Transportation Director’s Guide to Managing Safety Budget Uncertainty,” featuring school buses, a school transportation scene, and safety technology imagery.
SponsoredAugust 27, 2026

Doing More With Less: How Transportation Directors Can Prioritize Safety Amid Budget Uncertainty

With diesel prices soaring and nearly one-third of transportation directors expecting budget cuts, maintaining student safety has never been more challenging. Download this guide to learn how leading districts are prioritizing risk, funding critical safety technology, and building stronger budget cases with data.

Read More →
A Gatekeeper Systems camera mounted on the side of a school bus.
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsAugust 26, 2026

Walton County Schools Adds Gatekeeper Stop-Arm Enforcement System

The Florida district will deploy Gatekeeper’s updated Student Protector technology, which now incorporates AI to improve video evidence.

Read More →
Avigilon camera installation at Hamilton Township School District, New Jersey, with text reading "How to Build a More Secure School Bus Yard."
Safetyby Elora HaynesAugust 25, 2026

How To Build a More Secure School Bus Yard During and After Hours

As thefts and overnight security threats continue, school transportation leaders are combining stronger operational practices with AI-enabled surveillance to better protect buses, facilities, and staff.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic featuring FMCSA Chief Safety Officer Steve Dowling alongside the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration logo and U.S. Department of Transportation seal.
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsAugust 20, 2026

FMCSA Names New Chief Safety Officer: What School Bus Operators Should Know

Steve Dowling is set to lead the federal agency's efforts to advance commercial motor vehicle safety and reduce crashes, fatalities, and injuries on the nation's roadways.

Read More →