Federal officials are launching a nationwide review of school bus safety as investigators work to determine the cause of a deadly Carroll County crash involving Kenwood Middle School students.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol released new details about the crash tonight. Troopers said 29 people were on the Clarksville Montgomery County School bus, including 24 Kenwood Middle School students, four adults, and the driver, Sabrina Ducksworth.
Two students, Zoe Davis and Arianna Pearson, were killed in the crash, and several others are still fighting to recover in local hospitals.
The THP’s Elite Critical Incident Response Team is at the center of the investigation, rebuilding the crash frame-by-frame using witness accounts, physical information, and data locked inside the vehicles. Officials confirmed the school bus collided with a TDOT dump truck and an SUV.
Even with dash camera video, the cause remains unknown.
The National Transportation Safety Board is stepping in to launch a deep dive into driver performance, student safety protocols, and how school transportation is regulated across Tennessee.
For survivors like Lani Lugo, the trauma is only beginning to settle in. A sudden jolt and a deafening impact changed everything in an instant.
"I feel the bus move, and I hear like a boom," Lugo said. "Everything’s shaking, and I open my eyes, and I look out the window, and all I see is the woods."
Lugo remembered her classmates who were lost in the crash, including Zoe and Arianna.
"They were great people. I had drama club with Zoe at the beginning of the year; it was super fun," Lugo said. "She did a play, and she was amazing. She’s a great actor, very passionate."
She said Arianna, Lugo says she was funny. "I really admired her," Lugo said.
Now, every school bell and hallway feels different for the mourning community waiting for answers.
National Transportation Safety Board says a preliminary report could be released within 30 days, while a full investigation may take up to two years.
Drivers identified
THP reported that Sabrina R. Ducksworth was driving the school bus registered to the Clarksville-Montgomery Co. School System.
Dennis E. Coleman Jr. was driving the TDOT dump truck. The truck was also towing an attenuator.
James Bays was driving the 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer.
The THP Critical Incident Response Team and Pupil Transportation Division are working together to investigate the crash, which includes gathering statements from witnesses and collecting the necessary information to reconstruct the collision.
Medical response and support sent to the scene
Nine medical helicopters responded to the scene, seven of which were sent to hospitals in Nashville and Memphis, as ambulances transported patients to local facilities.
THP said it sent chaplains and peer support groups to the scene and will continue supporting those affected.
This story was reported on-air by journalist Kelsey Gibbs and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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