Four drivers involved in the school bus crash on Interstate 20 last month were issued citations for following too closely by the Georgia State Patrol Thursday.

Students and chaperones from Burke County Middle School were traveling to Six Flags Over Georgia on six school buses when the buses rear-ended each other as they approached a construction zone.

"The first bus in line began braking for the slowing traffic ahead which caused the other buses to brake," said Sergeant Matt Gunnin, assistant post commander of the Georgia State Patrol post in Monroe.

The second bus struck the first in the rear. The third and fourth buses moved to the right lane to attempt to avoid the collision. However, the fourth bus was hit in the rear by the fifth bus, pushing the fourth into the third bus. The fifth bus continued forward striking the second bus in the rear. The sixth bus then hit the rear of the fifth bus. Lastly, a passenger car struck the rear of the sixth bus.

The three bus driver charged are: Betty Harrison Dukes, 48, of Waynesboro, Angela Benjamin Anthony, 44, of Midville and Stephanie D. Pierce, 37, of Midville. The driver of the passenger car, Latarsha Moneek Owens, 37, of Waynesboro was also charged.

The court date is set for September 18 for all charged at the Newton County Probate Court in Covington.