Cobb County elementary school principal charged with DUI after crash near her school

Written by: A. Smith

Published January 13, 2026 @ 8:12 AM ET

COBB COUNTY, Ga. – An elementary school principal is facing DUI charges after police say she crashed her vehicle less than half a mile from the school she leads in Cobb County.

According to a police report, Addison Elementary School Principal Jill Spiva was involved in a crash Thursday at the intersection of Ebenezer Road and Sandy Plains Road. Officers who responded to the scene said they suspected Spiva was driving under the influence.

The report states that officers found a half-empty bottle of Smirnoff vodka inside Spiva’s vehicle. Police said the bottle was inside a white plastic bag located near the center console.

Investigators said Spiva refused to perform field sobriety tests and also declined to submit to a voluntary blood test at the scene. After her refusal, police obtained a search warrant signed by a judge, which required her to provide a blood sample.

Spiva has been charged with DUI, open container, and causing the crash, according to police.

Channel 2 Action News reviewed the crash report and confirmed the collision occurred less than half a mile from Addison Elementary School, raising concerns among some parents and community members.

Channel 2 reached out to Cobb County School District officials for comment. A spokesperson said the district would not confirm Spiva’s employment status while the matter remains under investigation.

The case remains pending, and no additional details about the crash or any potential disciplinary action have been released.