CARROLL COUNTY, Tenn. (WZTV) — Federal investigators are probing a multi-vehicle crash involving a school bus that killed two middle school students on March 27.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the incident occurred around 11:35 a.m. on U.S. Highway 70 between Cedar Grove and Huntingdon.
A school bus operated by the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System was headed west with 24 students and four adult chaperones when it collided with a dump truck and an SUV traveling eastbound.
The NTSB reported that the bus crossed the centerline, sideswiped the dump truck, and struck the SUV before ending up down an embankment. Two students died, while several individuals aboard the bus and in the dump truck sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious. The SUV occupants were unharmed.
Authorities confirmed that weather conditions were clear and the roadway dry at the time of the crash. The highway is a two-lane road with a 55 mph speed limit.
Preliminary records identify the bus driver as Sabrina Ducksworth. She had some documented medical issues but maintained a valid medical certification necessary for commercial driving.
Further records indicate that Ducksworth had no prior disciplinary history and was described as dependable in performance evaluations from 2022 to 2026.
The NTSB stated that its findings are preliminary and may change as the investigation continues. It is collaborating with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Tennessee Highway Patrol to identify the crash's cause and recommend safety measures.
Investigators are focused on driver performance, medical fitness, passenger safety, and school transportation oversight.