Speeding Driver Crashes Into Historic Dade County Courthouse in Trenton After Missing Roundabout, Georgia State Patrol Says

TRENTON, GA — A 24-year-old man suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a car hit the Dade County Historic Courthouse and Museum in downtown Trenton, according to the Georgia State Patrol.

The crash happened around 9:43 a.m. on Nov. 1 when the driver approached a roundabout on GA 58, also known as US 11 and Main Street. Investigators said he failed to stay in his lane and kept going straight before striking the courthouse.

Paramedics took him to Erlanger in Chattanooga for treatment. Authorities later said he was charged with DUI, failure to maintain lane and other traffic-related offenses.

How the crash unfolded near Main Street

Georgia State Patrol said the vehicle approached the roundabout in the middle of downtown Trenton and did not follow the lane path required to navigate it. Instead, it continued straight and collided with the historic building.

The crash drew attention partly because of its location in a busy downtown area and partly because the courthouse is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Video from the scene showed the vehicle close to the building immediately after impact.

Officials have not said how fast the car was traveling, but the crash was described as a driving error tied to lane discipline at the roundabout. The state patrol’s account remains the main law enforcement explanation for what happened.

Driver identified as Jacob Stevenson of Cary, North Carolina

Georgia State Patrol identified the driver as Jacob Stevenson of Cary, North Carolina. He was listed as 24 years old and was the only person authorities mentioned as being injured in the collision.

Investigators said Stevenson’s injuries were not considered life-threatening. After emergency responders reached the scene, he was transported across the state line to Erlanger in Chattanooga for medical care.

Authorities have not released further details about his condition. They also did not say whether anyone else was in the vehicle or whether any bystanders were hurt near the courthouse.

Charges include DUI and failure to maintain lane

State troopers said Stevenson faces DUI and failure-to-maintain-lane charges, along with additional traffic-related offenses. Those charges indicate investigators believe impairment and lane control were both factors in the crash.

Georgia State Patrol did not provide more detail on what led them to the DUI accusation, and no court information was included in the initial update. The exact status of the case may depend on continuing investigation and any later filings.

For now, the criminal and traffic charges add a legal layer to a crash that already left a prominent public building damaged. Officials have not said how extensive the damage was.

Witness video showed the aftermath in downtown Trenton

Local 3 News said viewer Austin Henegar shared video from the scene and was driving a truck that was just feet from the crash. Henegar said the male driver appeared awake after the collision.

That video helped document the immediate aftermath before investigators released their update. It also showed how close the crash came to other vehicles traveling through the downtown area.

Witness accounts like Henegar’s provided early clues while officials were still gathering facts. Even so, the most specific account of the cause and injuries came later from Georgia State Patrol.

Historic courthouse had reopened after renovation in 2025

The Dade County Historic Courthouse and Museum is more than a government building; it is also a preserved piece of local history. Dade County said on Facebook that the courthouse reopened in April 2025 after a renovation meant to protect its architectural legacy.

That timing makes the crash especially notable for residents who had recently seen the building returned to use after preservation work. The courthouse stands at the center of downtown life and carries civic and historical significance for the county.

Officials have not said whether the strike affected the museum portion of the building or any interior areas. The reopening earlier this year underscores why even a single vehicle crash can have an outsize impact on a place like this.

Questions remain about the damage and next steps

As of the latest update, Georgia State Patrol had not released a full damage assessment or said whether the courthouse would remain open. The building was struck on a Saturday morning, when traffic in downtown Trenton can still move through the roundabout near Main Street.

Investigators also have not said whether any other charges could be filed or whether Stevenson has entered a court appearance. The crash is still being examined as both a traffic incident and a DUI case.

For residents and county officials, the key unanswered questions now center on repairs, access and how quickly the historic courthouse can recover from the impact.