The driver of a school bus involved in a crash Wednesday night was released from the hospital, but will remain out of work a couple days in order to recuperate from her minor injuries, said Bulloch County Schools spokesperson Hayley Greene.

Bus driver Jennifer O’Brien is “sore and shaken,” she said. Five children who were taken to the hospital after the accident were treated and released, she said.

Greene said the students were being transported home from an after-school program activity at the Boys and Girls Club.

The bus, carrying 17 students, the driver and a bus monitor, was traveling south on Veterans Memorial Parkway around 6:50 p.m. when the accident occurred, according to Georgia State Patrol Post 45 reports.

A 2002 GMC Sierra driven by Rodney Tyre, 19, of Kingsland, Ga., was traveling north when Tyre attempted to turn left at the Country Club Road intersection, turning into the path of the bus. While Tyre was found at fault in the crash, he was not charged.

Bulloch County EMS responded and while there were no visible injuries, EMTs transported the five students to East Georgia Regional Medical Center after complaints of pain. O’Brien was also transported after reporting pain and stiffness in her back.

Three other children were taken to the hospital by parents, and were later released after treatment as well, Greene said.

There have been four accidents involving Bulloch County school buses this year, with only one of the crashes being the bus driver’s fault, she said.

Possible contributing factors to the frequency of bus accidents this year could be rainy weather and wet roads, as well as increased travel by buses transporting students to an increased number of school-related activities, said Paul Webb, chief operations officer of Transportation for Bulloch County Schools.

Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.