The Georgia State Patrol has released a preliminary report on the accident involving a Chattooga County School bus on Thursday afternoon.

On Thursday, November 30, 2023, at 4:00 pm, Troopers from Post 38 Rome responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 27 near the intersection with Underwood Road, in Chattooga County.

A Chattooga County school bus was traveling north on Highway 27, in the right lane.  As the school bus approached the intersection with Underwood Road, the driver became distracted due to an altercation between students on the bus.  The driver observed a vehicle stopped at the red light, and moved to the right to avoid a collision, but ultimately struck a 2014 Infinity QX60.

After this impact, the school bus left the roadway and struck a utility pole.  Eleven children on the bus were injured and transported to Atrium Floyd Chattooga Emergency Department in Trion, most of which were just complaints.

The crash is being investigated by the Georgia State Patrol Troop A Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team, and an inspection of the school bus was completed by the Motor Carrier Compliance Division.