The bus driver, Rebecca Holloway, 40, suffered minor injuries, Clayton County police said. There were no passengers on the bus.

Tenth-graders Darren Michael Brooks, 16, the driver, and Justin Phillips, 15, were killed in the crash.

Ninth-graders Armonne Gallow, 15, and Kenneth Colvin, 15, were injured, police said. Gallow was listed Tuesday in serious condition at Atlanta Medical Center, and Colvin was listed in critical condition.

Janet Gallow Gardiner, Armonne's mother, said the teens lived in the same Jonesboro subdivision and were close friends.

Police said Darren was driving toward the school when he ran off the right side of McDonough Road onto a sandy shoulder. He apparently overcorrected as he turned back, crossing into the path of the bus.

Officer Stefan Schindler said Darren apparently was exceeding the 45 mph speed limit, which drops to 25 mph a short distance closer to the school. None of the teens was wearing a seatbelt.

On campus, one student fainted and others expressed disbelief when they heard the news.

Nabie Kanu was a close friend of Darren, who was a football player. "He just went to get some food and never came back," Nabie said.

Several students said the four had come to school early, then made a run to a nearby McDonald's.

Schindler said the four apparently were rushing back to school for an 8:30 class. They hit the bus at 8:25 a.m.

Police said the two-lane road, with a turn lane, is considered no more dangerous to drivers than any other school zone.

But neighborhood residents said students frequently speed along McDonough Road.

"This is a daily occurrence with these kids speeding," said Lovejoy resident Paul Carlisle. "They will pull into a lane of oncoming traffic to get into the parking lot."

Lovejoy School Patrol Officer Heather Fields said Lovejoy students and adult drivers frequently speed past her on McDonough Road, ignoring the 25 mph limit and the whistle and stop sign she uses to control traffic.

There are two or three accidents with injuries every year in front of the student parking lot, she said.

The mood at Lovejoy was somber. Most students found out about the accident when teachers read a statement during third period.

Phones in the front office of the 1,750-student school rang constantly, as parents called to see if children had gotten to school safely.

A letter was sent home to parents informing them of the accident. It explained the signs of grief they might see in their children and gave tips on helping children work through their feelings.

Crisis counselors met with students Monday. The counselors will be at the school all week, said Linda Tanner, a county schools assistant superintendent.

After school, students seemed to be more careful, Fields said. But that won't last, she predicted. "Kids are rather somber this afternoon," Fields said. "After spring break, it will be business as usual."