A 7-year-old boy named Aiden remains in a medically induced coma at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta after being struck by a truck while crossing a highway to board his school bus in Rome, Georgia. The crash occurred Friday morning at approximately 7:09 a.m. near 50 Chateau Drive. According to the Rome Police Department, a white Ford F-150 struck Aiden as he entered the roadway. A police officer who happened to be in the area at the time responded immediately, and adults near the scene, including two nurses, stabilized the child's neck and performed CPR before additional emergency crews arrived. Aiden was airlifted to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta within an hour of the collision. He was diagnosed with a diffuse axonal injury, a severe ligament tear connecting his skull and neck, a broken pelvis, broken ribs, a fractured clavicle, and a fractured wrist. Investigators determined the driver was not impaired and not speeding, and that the roadway was wet from storms earlier that day. The driver remained on scene and is cooperating with the Rome Police Department's Accident Investigation Team, which continues to investigate the crash. No criminal charges have been announced at this time.

Location and Infrastructure

The crash occurred on Chateau Drive near the 50 Chateau Drive address, a roadway used by children in the area to access a school bus stop. Rome, located in Floyd County, Georgia, includes a mix of residential streets and higher-speed connector roads where pedestrian crossings can present visibility and reaction-time challenges, particularly during early morning hours when lighting is limited and drivers may not anticipate children entering the roadway. Wet pavement from storms on the morning of the crash may have affected stopping distances and vehicle traction. School bus loading zones in Georgia are typically marked with signage and require motorists to stop when bus signals are activated, though the specific bus route involved in this incident has not been publicly identified. The Rome Police Department's continued investigation may clarify whether additional traffic control measures, signage, or crossing guards are warranted at this location.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Georgia law, drivers owe pedestrians a duty of reasonable care, and liability in pedestrian-involved collisions often depends on factors such as right-of-way, roadway conditions, and driver conduct at the time of impact. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning fault may be apportioned among parties if evidence supports it. Families of injured minors may have grounds to pursue compensation for medical expenses, future care costs, pain and suffering, and other damages through the driver's auto insurance policy or applicable liability coverage. Georgia's statute of limitations generally allows two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit, though this period can vary based on case specifics, including claims involving minors. Because insurance claims and legal deadlines involve complex, fact-specific determinations, affected families are encouraged to consult a licensed attorney to understand their specific rights and options.

Related Resources

• Rome Police Department – Non-emergency line for accident inquiries and updates on the ongoing investigation
• Floyd County 911/Emergency Services – Local emergency medical response information
• Children's Healthcare of Atlanta – Information on pediatric trauma care and patient support services
• Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety – gahighwaysafety.org – Traffic safety programs and pedestrian safety resources
• Georgia Department of Driver Services – dds.georgia.gov – State traffic laws and driver regulations
• Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) Title 40 – Motor Vehicles and Traffic – Georgia General Assembly website for statutory traffic law reference
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) – nhtsa.gov – Pedestrian and school bus safety guidance
• GoFundMe: Standing with Aiden and His Family – Official fundraiser supporting the family's medical and recovery costs