Bus Hijacking in Georgia Leads to Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Wrongful death lawsuits in Georgia can stem from virtually any kind of fatalities imaginable, including those involving hijackings. A 2024 incident involving a hijacked bus has now led to a wrongful death lawsuit in the Peach State, highlighting the degree to which transit companies may be responsible for the safety of their passengers.
Daughter of Deceased Bus Passenger Files Wrongful Death Claim
On June 11th, 2026, WSB-TV 2 Atlanta reported that the daughter of a man who died during a 2024 bus hijacking in Atlanta had filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Atlanta, Gwinnett County, a transit contractor, and the bus driver.
The hijacking captured the attention of Atlanta residents, sparking a police chase through downtown Atlanta. The 39-year-old man responsible for the hijacking reportedly shot the plaintiff’s father during a struggle on board the vehicle. The victim was apparently attempting to subdue the hijacker when he was shot and killed. During the ordeal, the hijacker held the bus driver at gunpoint and ordered him to keep driving.
The bus also crashed into multiple vehicles during the chase until it was finally disabled by spike strips and an armored vehicle. The hijacker was able to surrender to police, but the victim passed away from gunshot wounds.
The Daughter Believes the Driver Should Have Done More
One might argue that there is not much the driver could have done with a gun to his head. However, the daughter believes that the driver and the public transit system in general should have done more to protect her father. Specifically, she accuses the contractor and the driver of failing to maintain order on the bus and protect passengers.
If the deceased victim really did try to subdue the hijacker, one might argue that he took his life into his own hands and assumed the risk of danger. On the other hand, one might also argue that the bus driver could have intentionally crashed or disabled the vehicle, perhaps sacrificing his own safety to protect his passengers. Maybe the bus driver should have noticed the hijacker’s erratic behavior as he was entering the vehicle, and this may have provided him with a “window of opportunity” to act.
The hijacker may not even face considerable criminal consequences due to a medical evaluation suggesting he is suffering from delusions and a mental disorder. In other words, he seems likely to use the insanity defense. This may explain why the daughter is desperately trying to achieve some degree of justice in civil court.
Can a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Georgia Help Me?
If you lost a loved one to a bus accident and you believe that the transit company should have done more to protect its passengers, you may want to contact a wrongful death lawyer in Georgia. As the recent hijacking case shows, transit companies may face accountability even for the most unforeseeable events. Contact Morain & Buckelew, LLC to learn more about your next potential steps.
Sources:
wsbtv.com/news/local/man-killed-hijacked-bus-daughter-sues-county-driver/2SWLCW4ENZCIHL7MCYWSADZZMY/
11alive.com/article/news/crime/trials/lawsuit-daughter-of-ernest-byrd-jr-daughter-victim-in-2024-bus-hijacking/85-151cf242-18b5-4385-a52e-05a768f72bfb