Serious Bus Accident on I-20 Off-Ramp Near Highway 138 in Rockdale County, GA, Reported October 25, 2026

Twenty-five passengers were injured in a school bus rollover on the Interstate 20 eastbound off-ramp near Highway 138 in Rockdale County, Georgia. In information reported October 25, 2026, district officials confirmed that all students and adults hospitalized after the crash had been discharged.

The bus was carrying Salem High School football players and staff home from an away game Friday night. Rockdale County Public Schools identified 27 people aboard: 17 players, seven trainers, two coaches and one driver. The confirmed calendar date of the crash was not provided in the available information.

According to the Georgia State Patrol, the 74-year-old bus driver lost control on the eastbound exit ramp. The bus struck a car before overturning into a roadside ditch. The driver's injury status was not specified. The bus sustained damage to its front end, windshield and roof.

One injured student was airlifted to a trauma center. Other occupants were taken to local emergency rooms by ambulance or driven there by parents. Officials did not disclose the identities or specific medical conditions of those treated. The hospital discharges do not establish the extent of each person's injuries or whether further care was needed.

The Georgia State Patrol was continuing to investigate what caused the driver to leave the roadway. Authorities had not announced whether any traffic citations or criminal charges would follow. No determination of legal fault was provided.

Rockdale County Public Schools said additional counselors would be available at Salem High School to support students and staff, including returning players. The district said that support would remain available for as long as needed.