Authorities in Dougherty County, Georgia, are investigating a serious ambulance rollover accident that occurred early Saturday morning, injuring nine people — including a newborn. The crash, which involved three vehicles, happened around 7 a.m. at the busy intersection of Pine Avenue and Monroe Street in Albany.
According to the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), a Dougherty County EMS ambulance carrying three emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and two patients — including the newborn — was traveling on Monroe Street when it collided with a 2017 Ford pickup truck. The impact caused the ambulance to overturn, striking a 2023 Buick Encore that happened to be crossing the intersection at the time.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with sirens blaring, debris scattered across the road, and emergency crews immediately rushing to assist their own. “It was surreal,” one bystander said. “Those who usually save lives suddenly needed saving themselves.”
Emergency teams from multiple agencies — including Albany Police, Dougherty County EMS, and the Fire Department — arrived within minutes. All nine people were transported to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital for evaluation. Officials confirmed that all sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were in stable condition later that morning.
James Gibney, Director of Dougherty County EMS, issued a statement expressing relief that the accident was not fatal. “The safety of our patients, staff, and community remains our top priority,” he said. “We are grateful that no serious injuries occurred and deeply appreciate the swift response and teamwork of everyone involved.”
GSP troopers began their investigation shortly after 7:25 a.m., analyzing skid marks, vehicle positions, and witness statements to determine the cause of the crash. While exact circumstances are still under review, preliminary reports indicate the ambulance had its emergency lights activated while approaching the intersection. It has not yet been confirmed whether the other vehicles failed to yield or if visibility or timing played a role.
The ambulance rollover immediately triggered emergency protocols. Nearby units were redirected to assist, and remaining patients were transferred to other ambulances to avoid disruption of medical coverage in the area. Traffic was rerouted for several hours while cleanup crews removed damaged vehicles and debris.
Hospital staff praised EMS responders for their professionalism under stress. “They were shaken but calm,” a nurse said. “You could see how trained they are to care for others, even when they themselves are hurt.”
The newborn patient was examined immediately upon arrival. Doctors confirmed the infant was stable and under observation as a precaution. The child’s parents, though distressed, expressed gratitude for the quick actions of the emergency team.
Albany Police urged drivers to exercise caution at intersections where emergency vehicles are active. “When you see flashing lights or hear sirens, pull over immediately,” a spokesperson emphasized. “Seconds of hesitation can have life-threatening consequences — for you, for responders, and for those already in need of help.”
As of late Saturday, the names of those involved had not been released. Both the Ford and Buick drivers were cooperating with authorities. Dashcam footage from nearby businesses is being reviewed to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the crash.
For the EMS community, the incident served as a sobering reminder of the dangers first responders face daily. “We’re out there trying to save lives, but one wrong move — even at low speed — can change everything,” said an EMT from a neighboring county. “You never expect the ambulance itself to become the emergency.”
Local residents flooded Dougherty County EMS’s social media pages with messages of support and gratitude, also calling for improved intersection safety, including better signal timing and warning signs for emergency vehicle routes.
Officials confirmed that all EMS personnel involved will receive follow-up medical assessments and counseling to address the trauma of the crash. Repairs for the damaged ambulance are already underway, and it will remain out of service until the investigation is complete.
The Georgia State Patrol said it will release a full report once forensic analysis and witness interviews are complete. “Our goal,” a GSP representative said, “is to understand how this happened so we can prevent it from happening again.”
For now, what could have been a catastrophic tragedy ended with relief. Nine people — including a newborn and the responders sworn to protect them — walked away alive. And for Dougherty County, that is reason to be thankful.