Last week, a bus carrying Rome High School football players and their coaches encountered a dire situation on Highway 101 as a collision with a Nissan Versa led to the vehicle overturning. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, the incident happened around 10:30 p.m. near Doc Moates Road and resulted in 15 people being hospitalized. Investigations by police suspect that Jeyonna Jariah Underwood, the 21-year-old Nissan driver, was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. Underwood has been charged with DUI and other related offenses.
In the wake of the accident, Rome City Schools recognized the bus driver, Nakita Strickland, for his efforts that likely minimized injuries. Despite the chaos of the crash, Strickland managed to quickly and safely get everybody off the bus, demonstrating commendable presence of mind under pressure. "We are all grateful that Mr. Strickland is a part of our team," a spokesperson for the school district noted in a quote obtained by 11Alive.
All individuals involved in the crash, including the twelve students, have been treated and released from Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center. The local community has rallied in support of the quick actions taken by Strickland. His immediate and "safety-first" mentality is being praised as a cornerstone of the successful emergency response.
The recognition ceremony for Strickland took place on Tuesday, where he received accolades from colleagues and the district for his ability to calmly manage the aftermath. "Mr. Strickland's quick-thinking and safety-first mentality ensured the safety of our students and staff during last Thursday evening's bus accident," the school district wrote on social media, as reported by 11Alive. The incident has brought to light the critical role that bus drivers play in ensuring the welfare of students during unexpected crises.
