Rome City School Bus Overturns After Collision with DUI Driver on Highway 101 in Polk County

On the night of Thursday, August 8, 2024, a school bus from Rome City Schools was involved in a serious crash on Highway 101. The accident occurred as the bus was returning from a preseason football scrimmage game at Rockmart High School.

The collision happened when a Nissan Versa, driven by 21-year-old Jeyonna Underwood, veered into the lane of the school bus. The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) reported that Underwood is suspected to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. She has been arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) and failure to maintain lane.

Underwood’s vehicle struck the rear driver’s side wheel of the school bus, causing the bus to veer off the road, overturn, and collide with a power pole. The crash severely damaged the bus. Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center confirmed that 15 people were treated for injuries, including three adults and 12 minors. All individuals were treated and released from the medical facility. Witnesses who saw the overturned bus rushed to help, assisting the bus driver and students in exiting the vehicle.

Rome City Schools credited the bus driver, Nakita Strickland, with helping to make sure the crash wasn’t worse.

The Georgia State Patrol continues to investigate.