CARROLL COUNTY, Tenn. (WZTV) — Two students were killed, and over 20 were injured after a school bus crash on Friday, March 27.
At approximately 2:41 p.m., a Clarksville-Montgomery County School System bus was involved in a crash with a Tennessee Department of Transportation dump truck and a Chevrolet Trailblazer at the intersection of Highway 70 and Cedar Grove. The bus was en route to Jackson, Tennessee, for a field trip.
Authorities confirmed that eighth graders Zoe and Arianna died in the crash. More than 20 individuals were transported to nearby hospitals, with at least one surviving student suffering multiple broken bones. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, 29 people were aboard the bus, including 24 students.
Video footage shows the bus driving slightly over the double yellow line before colliding with the dump truck, which subsequently caught fire. The bus then veered off the road and hit a tree.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating the incident, and the National Transportation Safety Board is conducting a separate inquiry into school bus safety protocols, driver performance, and student protection measures.
The school bus driver, identified as Sabrina R. Ducksworth, has no disciplinary actions in her history, according to Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools. Reports suggest she may have experienced a medical emergency prior to the crash, though this has not been confirmed.
The incident has sparked discussions about enhancing school bus safety, including the possible implementation of seat belts. Tennessee Senator Mark Pody plans to propose legislation aimed at upgrading safety measures for school buses in the next legislative session.
Schools in the Clarksville-Montgomery County area memorialized Zoe and Arianna by wearing black and gold. Mental health professionals are available at Kenwood Middle School to support grieving students and staff.