CARROLL COUNTY, Tenn. (WZTV) — Federal investigators are probing a school bus crash that killed two middle school students and injured several others on March 27.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:35 a.m. on U.S. Highway 70, between Cedar Grove and Huntingdon, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). A bus from the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System, carrying 24 students and 4 adult chaperones to an event in Jackson, collided with a Tennessee Department of Transportation dump truck and an SUV.
According to authorities, the bus crossed the centerline, sideswiped the dump truck, and then struck the SUV before veering off the road and resting upright down an embankment. The bus driver and multiple passengers sustained varying injuries, while the two individuals in the dump truck suffered serious injuries. No injuries were reported among the SUV's occupants.
Clear weather and dry road conditions were present at the time of the crash. The highway is a two-lane road with a posted speed limit of 55 mph.
Records from FOX 17 News identified the bus driver as Sabrina Ducksworth. Although she had reported medical issues and took approved leave, she maintained a valid commercial driving certification. Her performance reviews indicate she had no prior accidents and was described as dependable.
The NTSB is reviewing various factors, including driver performance and safety oversight, as part of its investigation alongside the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Preliminary findings may change as more information becomes available.