Bus overturns en route to Masters, driver charged with DUI

Senior writer

Thu, Apr 5, 2018, 5:53 PM

AUGUSTA, Ga. — A shuttle bus en route from metro Atlanta to the Masters overturned about 10 miles outside Augusta on Thursday morning, and the Georgia State Patrol has charged the driver with DUI.

The bus, carrying 18 passengers, overturned in the center median of Interstate 20 at about 8:45 a.m. Seven passengers were taken to Augusta University Hospital, all adults with non-life-threatening injuries. Five of the patients were listed in serious condition, while two were listed in fair condition. Another seven patients were taken to nearby Doctors Hospital, also with non-life-threatening injuries.

We're on the way to Augusta after a Masters-bound shuttle bus from Atlanta crashed on I-20. 16 people injured. Troopers say the bus driver was drunk. pic.twitter.com/RoW56Vm0B5
— Richard Elliot (@RElliotWSB) April 5, 2018

The crash caused the closure of I-20 in both directions, cutting off the only interstate route from Atlanta to Augusta. Westbound lanes were clear around 10:45 a.m., while eastbound lanes — the ones coming from Atlanta, and the ones likely full of eager Masters-ready patrons — were diverted down to the shoulder. A WSB-TV helicopter reported six miles of delays.

Scene of overturned tour bus on I-20 west of Augusta. The bus was just uprighted. The wreck mainly affects the EB lanes b/t Appling and Augusta. EB backed for @ 6-miles. WB delayed, too. Updates on @wsbtv Ch 2 Action News at Noon. pic.twitter.com/jDn0tjTVia
— Jason Durden (@JasonDurdenWSB) April 5, 2018

The Georgia State Patrol reported that the driver was charged with DUI and failure to maintain lane. GSP officials added that the bus is owned by Jet Executive Limousine.

Here’s the release we got from Gerogia State Patrol. The bus was carrying 18 passengers who were headed to @TheMasters @WRDW_WAGT pic.twitter.com/JQuurCW8aC
— Brooke Zauner (@BrookeWRDW) April 5, 2018