CARROLL COUNTY, Tenn. (WZTV) — Federal investigators are looking into a multi-vehicle crash involving a school bus that killed two middle school students and injured at least 20 others on March 27.
The incident happened at approximately 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 traveling westbound with 24 students and four adult chaperones when it crossed the centerline and collided with a dump truck and an SUV traveling eastbound.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the bus sideswiped the dump truck before hitting the SUV and subsequently leaving the roadway, coming to rest down an embankment. Witnesses reported that road conditions were clear and dry at the time.
The fatalities were confirmed to be two students from Kenwood Middle School. The bus driver and several passengers sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious, while the two occupants of the dump truck were seriously injured. The SUV occupants were unharmed.
Authorities confirmed that the bus driver, identified as Sabrina Ducksworth, maintained a valid medical certification to operate a commercial vehicle, despite having documented medical issues. Records indicate she had no disciplinary history and was viewed positively in performance reviews.
The NTSB is collaborating with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Tennessee Highway Patrol to determine the cause of the crash. Investigators are reviewing factors such as driver performance and medical fitness. As this is a preliminary report, findings may change as the investigation proceeds.