Augusta, GA
‘Boom! Blew up right there’: Train slams into semi in Grovetown
GROVETOWN, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A stuck 18-wheeler was blown apart and dragged by a train that hit it on the tracks in Grovetown on Friday afternoon – but amazingly no one was injured.
The semi, a McLain food-service delivery truck, was trying to cross the railroad tracks when it got stuck on a hump.
Then the train came along just after 12:35 p.m.
Although the train wasn’t moving at a high speed, the front of the truck was torn apart.
“You could hear the train, see the train coming. I didn’t really think it was going to hit the truck, but that thing, you know, boom, blew up right there,” said one witness who was outside a nearby Walgreens.
The driver apparently got out of the truck after it became stuck, since police said no one was hurt, and the railroad described the truck as unoccupied.
But it could be a while before traffic is back to normal.
Police said drivers should avoid Katherine Street at Old Wrightsboro Road as much as possible.
“No injuries have been reported, however the cleanup is going to take a while,” Police Chief Jamey Kitchens said.
The train didn’t derail, and crews at the scene indicated it would be moved sometime after 3 p.m.
Kitchens said there are no hazardous materials issues and tow trucks were en route.
Traffic was being diverted.
WATCH: PASSENGER GETS VIDEO OF TRAIN SLAMMING INTO TRUCK
People familiar with the area said trucks get stuck there often. A yellow sign in front of the crossing says, “No trucks.”
A neighbor said trucks get stuck so often that the city should do something about it.
He blamed the “truck stands” that project from the bottom of the trailer, saying they get stuck on the hump at the crossing.
WATCH: HERE’S A VIEW OF TRAIN SLAMMING INTO TRUCK
Possibly knowing what might happen, several people recorded videos of the truck stuck on the track.
That’s what caught the attention of the witness at Walgreens.
“I was coming out of Walgreens. I had to come get me some milk this morning because, you know, my wife ain’t cooking breakfast. So I was getting some milk, come to my car and I seen the truck sitting on the track – because it was just sitting on the track,“ he said.
And then the crash happened.
Besides the truck being torn apart, much of its cargo was strewn beside the tracks.
Two workers from the Subway in Harlem showed up at the crash scene and said the truck was headed their way and apparently had their food inside.
WATCH: DOORBELL CAM CATCHES TRAIN SLAMMING INTO TRUCK
CSX confirmed no one was hurt on the train.
“The cause of the incident is currently under investigation,” the railroad told News 12.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Georgia gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan campaigned in Augusta ahead of Election Day, making stops at two churches and meeting with local faith leaders.
The former lieutenant governor visited Good Hope Baptist Church on Cedar Street, where he spoke with the Greater Augusta Interfaith Coalition’s “Music to the Polls” group.
Duncan told us that, if elected governor, he wants to expand Medicaid, pass what he called “common-sense gun legislation,” and create more economic opportunities statewide. He also pointed to affordability concerns impacting families and businesses.
“I want to take $1.7 billion of our state’s fund and wrap it around the axle of poverty,” Duncan said, adding that he wants to lower child care costs and improve temporary assistance programs.
Duncan also stopped at Miles Memorial Church on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
NJ apartment dwellers, renters have these options for help with rent
State and local officials say several programs are designed to help low and moderate-income households stay housed in the face of financial distress.
As rent prices continue to strain budgets, a new study is highlighting where Georgians can save the most by splitting housing costs.
According to a report from SmartAsset, some cities in Georgia offer major savings for renters who choose to live with a roommate.
Here’s what to know.
Where can you save the most in Georgia?
The study ranks Augusta as the top city in Georgia for roommate savings, and No. 6 in the country.
Renters there can save about 45% on monthly rent, or roughly $450 per month, by sharing an apartment.
Here’s how the costs compare in Augusta:
- One-bedroom rent: $1,000
- Two-bedroom rent: $1,100
- Estimated monthly savings with a roommate: $450
Why are roommate savings so high?
With rent prices rising, splitting costs has become one of the easiest ways to cut monthly expenses.
The study shows that sharing rent can significantly reduce housing costs, especially in cities where prices have climbed in recent years.
How does Georgia compare to the rest of the country?
Here’s the top 10 cities in the US for saving with a roomate:
- Cleveland, OH
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Jersey City, NJ
- Memphis, TN
- Boise, ID
- Augusta, GA
- New Haven, CT
- Chattanooga, TN
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Shreveport, LA
Methodology
The study analyzed 100 U.S. cities using rental data from March 2025 to March 2026 from Zumper, comparing one-bedroom rents to half the cost of two-bedroom apartments to estimate savings from sharing with a roommate.
For more information, visit smartasset.com/data-studies/roommate-savings-2026.
Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Families had the chance to sharpen their money skills at a financial literacy event hosted by local nonprofit Crown Her Mentoring at the Bernie Ward Community Center.
The free event offered resources for all ages, from kids learning the basics to adults planning for their financial future.
Attendees could sit in sessions about budgeting, credit, opening banking accounts and insurance options.
Organizers said the event was designed to make financial education accessible during Financial Literacy Month.
“People need to understand the importance of a checking account, a savings account—how to manage your money. How to invest your money. People need to learn about life insurance,” said Torrecka Davis, organizer.
Crown Her Mentoring will host a mental health awareness event on May 23. Open enrollment for new mentees will begin on May 10.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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