Updated with additional new information from THP.

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The investigation into the deadly Kenwood Middle School bus crash in Carroll County on March 27 has been escalated to the National Transportation Safety Board.

The NTSB confirmed to Clarksville Now Monday that it has initiated a safety investigation in coordination with the Tennessee Highway Patrol. “The NTSB investigation will examine school bus driver performance, student passenger occupant protection, and the oversight of school transportation operations,” the federal agency said in a statement.

A preliminary report might be available in about 30 days, however, a full investigation can take 12-24 months to complete, the NTSB said.

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How the crash happened

The bus was traveling to a STEM-based student competition in Jackson with 24 students and five adults aboard. At about noon, it crashed on Highway 70 with a TDOT dump truck and a Chevrolet Trailblazer, THP said in previous reports.

A CMCSS school bus crosses over the yellow lines just before a crash in Carroll County on March 27, 2026. (Rosalee and Zaviel Lugo, contributed via WKRN)

Dash cam video from a car behind the bus shows the bus steadily crossing the double yellow lines before hitting the dump truck head-on. There has been no indication yet on what caused the bus to cross the yellow lines.

THP’s Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) and Pupil Transportation Division are investigating. The CIRT team continues to gather witness statements, collect physical and digital information, and reconstruct the crash, THP said Monday.

“The Tennessee Highway Patrol sent chaplains and peer support groups to the scene and they are continuing to assist affected families and communities. Support services remain in place for students, families, and staff affected by this tragic incident,” THP Special Agent Jason Pack said. Multiple individuals remain hospitalized as of Monday afternoon.

THP released the names of the drivers involved in the crash:

  • The 2024 Blue Bird School Bus was driven by Sabrina R. Ducksworth, a CMCSS bus driver.
  • The TDOT dump truck, a 2014 International S30 Dump Truck towing an attenuator, was driven by Dennis E. Coleman Jr.
  • The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer was driven by James Bays

Two students were killed and several more were critically injured. The names of the students have not been officially released, but GoFundMe pages have been set up to support the families of Zoe and Arianna.

Resources for students, teachers, families

CMCSS has provided the following resources for students and families in need of support following the tragedy:

  • CMCSS has a partnership with Care Solace to make accessing mental health care even easier for families. Care Solace navigates the mental health care system to find available providers matched to specific needs – so you don’t have to. For an anonymous pathway to care, the community can utilize Care Match, a self-service tool, to find verified providers on their own. Click here to access CMCSS’ Care Match self-service tool.
  • The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has a resource for understanding age-related reactions to traumatic events. Click here to read the PDF.
  • The Center for Resilience and Well-Being in Schools has a resource for talking to children when scary things happen. Click here to read the PDF.

The TN Department of Education has provided a list of strategies for families and teachers when addressing grief and loss.

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