Update: 6 a.m. Sunday, GDPS reported 9 fatalities in Thanksgiving holiday travel with 18 hours left

No fatalities in Walton County – one in Gwinnett and one in Newton as well as an unborn child

Update

At 6 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30, the Georgia Department of Public Safety was reporting a total of nine fatalities on Georgia roads during the 102-hour Thanksgiving holiday travel. At this time, there were none reported in Walton County over this period. However, there was the one reported in the early morning of Friday that resulted in the death of a 19-year-old pregnant woman and her unborn child.

The 102-hour monitored holiday travel ends just before midnight Sunday. During the full 102-hour travel period last year, GDPS reported a total of 17 fatalities.

THE HOLIDAY COUNT AS OF 0600 HOURS STANDS AS FOLLOWS:
 
LAST 12 HOURS:  1
RUNNING TOTAL: 9
 
Troop I territory, Georgia State Patrol -Post 11 Hinesville, is investigating a single vehicle, single fatality accident at Rossville Rd at GA-99 in McIntosh County.

— Georgia Department of Public Safety (@ga_dps) November 30, 2025

THE HOLIDAY COUNT AS OF 0600 HOURS:
LAST 6 HOURS: 1
RUNNING TOTAL: 8
Troop C, Gwinnett County PD – single fatality accident in Gwinnett County.
Troop B GSP, Post 37, single fatality accident in Lumpkin County.
Troop I, Glynn County PD – single fatality in Glynn County.

— Georgia Department of Public Safety (@ga_dps) November 29, 2025

Update

Although the fatality count in Georgia has not yet been updated to include all the figures, Georgia State Patrol Post 46 in Walton County reports that a crash in Newton County in the early morning hours Friday resulted in the death of a pregnant woman and her unborn child.

According to Post 46 Assistant Commander Christoph Ayers, at 0034 hours on 11/28/25, GSP Trooper Cpl. Anderson was dispatched to a two-vehicle wreck with a fatality on Fairview Road near Crestfield Circle in Newton County.

“Upon arrival Cpl. Anderson determined a black Hyundai Sonata driven by Takila Donald was backing improperly from a private drive into Fairview Road. A BMW driven by Brandon Robinson was traveling west on Fairview Road. The driver of the Hyundai backed improperly and failed to yield while entering the roadway. The BMW struck the Hyundai on its passenger side. The passenger of the Hyundai (Jaylah Donald (19) was pronounced deceased at the scene. It was discovered Jaylah was pregnant and the unborn child was also deceased. The driver of the Hyundai was life flighted to Grady hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the BMW had complaint of injuries and taken to a local hospital. The driver of the BMW was found to be DUI. Charges are pending for the drivers of both vehicles,” Ayers said.

Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Period Activity Count as of 6am on 11/27/25. pic.twitter.com/Fm1zp8dtS3

— Georgia Department of Public Safety (@ga_dps) November 27, 2025

Initial Press release

(ATLANTA, GA) – Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Troopers and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) Officers will increase their presence on interstates and state roads during the Thanksgiving holiday period to help reduce crashes and keep travelers safe. The 102-hour travel period begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 26, and ends 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 30, 2025.

During the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday, GSP investigated 684 crashes, resulting in 349 injuries and 17 fatalities statewide. Of those, GSP investigated nine fatal crashes. Troopers and Officers also arrested 474 impaired drivers, issued 17,356 citations, and 24,255 warnings.

“The Georgia Department of Public Safety urges everyone to travel safely so they can enjoy Thanksgiving with their loved ones,” said Colonel William W. Hitchens III, DPS Commissioner. “Seatbelts save lives. Take a moment to make sure everyone is properly restrained.”

AAA expects 73 million people to travel by car this Thanksgiving—about 90% of all travelers—and 1.3 million more drivers than last year. That number could rise further if air travelers switch to driving in response to recent flight cancellations.

Daily best and worst times to travel by car

Travel Day	Best Travel Time	Worst Travel Time
11/26/25   Wednesday	Before 11:00 AM	11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
11/27/25   Thursday	Minimal Traffic Impact Expected
11/28/25   Friday	Before 11:00 AM	1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
11/29/25   Saturday	Before 10:00 AM	1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
12/30/25   Sunday	Before 11:00 AM	11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

*SOURCE: AAA

If you need roadside assistance, call 911 or *GSP (*477). Holiday fatality updates will be posted on the Department’s social media platforms.

Facebook: Georgia Department of Public Safety

Instagram: ga_dps

X: ga_dps

Safe Driving Tips

• Follow posted speed limits and obey all traffic laws.
• Never drive impaired. Use a sober driver, taxi, or rideshare.
• Ensure everyone is buckled up; Georgia law requires children under 8 to be in an appropriate car seat or booster seat.
• Give large trucks and buses plenty of space and anticipate wide turns.
• Avoid distractions. Georgia’s Hands-Free Act prohibits the use of handheld devices while driving.

Vehicle Safety Tips

• Check all vehicle lights, including headlights, brake lights, and signals.
• Inspect and replace worn wiper blades.
• Check tire condition and tire pressure before traveling.
• Carry basic emergency supplies such as a phone charger, flashlight, first-aid kit, flares, and jumper cables.