CARROLL COUNTY, Tenn. (WZTV) — A school bus crash in Carroll County on Friday resulted in the deaths of two students and injuries to numerous others.
At approximately 2:41 p.m., a school bus carrying students from Kenwood Middle School collided with a Tennessee Department of Transportation dump truck and a Chevrolet Trailblazer near Highway 70 and Cedar Grove. Authorities confirmed that two eighth-grade students, identified as Zoe and Arianna, lost their lives in the incident.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, 29 individuals were on board the bus at the time, which included 24 students. More than 20 others were transported to local hospitals, including one student who reportedly sustained multiple broken bones.
Dashcam footage obtained by FOX 17 News shows the bus crossing into the opposite lane before the collision, subsequently leading to a fire involving the TDOT truck and the bus crashing into a tree.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is actively investigating the crash's cause, while the National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an independent review that will include examining driver performance and student safety measures.
Authorities have identified the bus driver as Sabrina R. Ducksworth, who commenced employment with the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System in July 2021. A family member suggested she may have experienced a medical emergency prior to the crash, but this has not been confirmed by officials.
In the wake of this incident, legislative proposals for enhanced safety measures, including the installation of seatbelts on school buses, have been introduced in the state assembly. Community support initiatives are ongoing, with local schools observing moments of remembrance and providing counseling services to affected students and families.