On Friday, August 15, 2025, deputies with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a hit and run accident near Old Axson Highway and McKinnon Road. The collision involved a pickup truck pulling a trailer and a school bus transporting more than 20 school-aged children. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported. The Georgia State Patrol was called to investigate the crash.
Shortly after the incident on Old Axson Highway, City of Douglas police were dispatched to a second report of a hit and run near Estes Park Apartments. The vehicle description closely matched that of the earlier crash involving the school bus.
Through a joint investigation over the weekend, deputies and GSP troopers identified the vehicle and the individual responsible as Gregory Nugent of Douglas. On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, deputies located Nugent, who was arrested and transported to the Coffee County Jail.
Sheriff’s officials credited the arrest to the strong collaboration between the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia State Patrol.
“This was a team effort to ensure accountability and public safety,” said Sheriff Fred Cole. “We are thankful that no children were seriously harmed in this incident and that the suspect is now in custody.”