CARROLL COUNTY, Tenn. (WZTV) — On Friday, March 27, at approximately 2:41 p.m., a school bus carrying students from Kenwood Middle School was involved in a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 70 near Cedar Grove.
The crash involved a Clarksville-Montgomery County School System bus, a Tennessee Department of Transportation dump truck, and a Chevrolet Trailblazer. Authorities reported that two eighth-grade students, identified as Zoe and Arianna, were killed in the incident, while more than 20 others sustained injuries and were transported to local hospitals.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, there were 29 individuals on the bus at the time, including 24 students. A survivor interviewed by FOX 17 News has reported sustaining multiple broken bones due to the crash.
Dashcam footage indicates that the bus briefly entered the opposite lane before colliding with the dump truck, which subsequently caught fire. The bus then veered off the road and struck a tree.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is currently investigating the cause of the crash with assistance from the National Transportation Safety Board, which is reviewing driver performance and overall safety measures for school transportation.
As investigations continue, no confirmed cause has been disclosed. A family member of the bus driver, identified as Sabrina R. Ducksworth, suggested she may have suffered a medical emergency during the incident, but this remains unverified.
In response to the crash, Tennessee Senator Mark Pody is proposing legislation to enhance school bus safety, including the installation of seatbelts and lane-keeping assist systems, as many school buses currently lack such measures.
Support for the victims has been widespread, with Kenwood Middle School and local government offices honoring Zoe and Arianna by wearing black and gold and lowering flags to half-staff. Counselors are also available for students and staff affected by the tragedy.