Driver in Head-On With Church Van Charged

In Stephens County, the driver who hit a church bus head on last week injuring 19 people is now facing charges.

It happened about 8:30p Thursday night on Highway 123 near the 17Bypass, when a Lincoln Towncar left its lane in a curve and hit the church van.

The van was headed to the Georgia Baptist Conference Center in Toccoa from Conyers for a weekend ladies retreat.
19 passengers in the van, including the Pastor, suffered non-life threatening injuries, including broken bones, cuts and bruises.

Most were treated at Stephens County Hospital and released.  Several had to be treated at other area hospitals.

The driver of the Towncar is identified as 31-year old Ryan Thomas Bellamy of Toccoa.  Bellamy had to be extricated from his vehicle and was air lifted to Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

The Georgia State Patrol has charged him with driving under the influence and crossing the center line.

Once released from the hospital, members of the Love and Hugs Tabernacle in Conyers continued on to their weekend retreat.