By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/tennessee-school-bus-crash-leaves-2-students-dead-at-least-7-others-injured Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Tennessee school bus crash leaves 2 students dead, at least 7 others injured Nation Mar 27, 2026 7:41 PM EDT HUNTINGDON, Tenn. (AP) — Two students were killed and at least seven other people were injured Friday in a school bus crash in west Tennessee, officials said. The crash involving a Tennessee Department of Transportation dump truck, a Chevrolet Trailblazer and the school bus took place at about noon on Highway 70 in Carroll County, said Maj. Travis Plotzer, a spokesperson for the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Plotzer said details of the crash were still being sorted out, but it appeared that the transportation department dump truck did not contribute to the crash itself. READ MORE: 3 killed in tourist helicopter crash near remote beach off the coast of the Hawaiian island of Kauai Plotzer said there were a total of 25 students and five adults on the bus. The school bus was carrying students and employees from Kenwood Middle School in Clarksville for a field trip to Jackson, Tennessee, the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System said in a statement. The cause of the crash was under investigation. Plotzer announced the deaths of two students in the crash during a news conference. Officials said at least seven other people were taken by air ambulance to hospitals in Tennessee. The nature of their injures was not immediately disclosed. Plotzer called the crash "a parent's worst nightmare." Four people were taken to Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville and were in stable condition Friday, according to a Vanderbilt Health spokesperson. Another 19 people were taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Carroll County, said Kim Alexander, a spokesperson for Baptist Memorial Health Care. All were evaluated and released, though it was unclear how many actually suffered injuries, she said. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
HUNTINGDON, Tenn. (AP) — Two students were killed and at least seven other people were injured Friday in a school bus crash in west Tennessee, officials said. The crash involving a Tennessee Department of Transportation dump truck, a Chevrolet Trailblazer and the school bus took place at about noon on Highway 70 in Carroll County, said Maj. Travis Plotzer, a spokesperson for the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Plotzer said details of the crash were still being sorted out, but it appeared that the transportation department dump truck did not contribute to the crash itself. READ MORE: 3 killed in tourist helicopter crash near remote beach off the coast of the Hawaiian island of Kauai Plotzer said there were a total of 25 students and five adults on the bus. The school bus was carrying students and employees from Kenwood Middle School in Clarksville for a field trip to Jackson, Tennessee, the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System said in a statement. The cause of the crash was under investigation. Plotzer announced the deaths of two students in the crash during a news conference. Officials said at least seven other people were taken by air ambulance to hospitals in Tennessee. The nature of their injures was not immediately disclosed. Plotzer called the crash "a parent's worst nightmare." Four people were taken to Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville and were in stable condition Friday, according to a Vanderbilt Health spokesperson. Another 19 people were taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Carroll County, said Kim Alexander, a spokesperson for Baptist Memorial Health Care. All were evaluated and released, though it was unclear how many actually suffered injuries, she said. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now
Facts Only
Actors: Tennessee Department of Transportation dump truck driver, school bus driver, students from Kenwood Middle School in Clarksville, employees of Kenwood Middle School, medical staff at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, and Baptist Memorial Hospital-Carroll County.
Events: A school bus crash involving a Tennessee Department of Transportation dump truck and a Chevrolet Trailblazer occurred on Highway 70 in Carroll County, west Tennessee. Two students died, and at least seven others were injured. Four individuals were taken to Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, and another 19 were taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Carroll County for evaluation and release.
Locations: Highway 70 in Carroll County, west Tennessee; Clarksville, Tennessee (Kenwood Middle School); Jackson, Tennessee; Nashville, Tennessee (Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt).
Executive Summary
Full Take
Steelman: This article presents a factual account of a tragic school bus crash in west Tennessee that resulted in the deaths of two students and injuries to several others. The incident involved a Tennessee Department of Transportation dump truck, a Chevrolet Trailblazer, and a school bus carrying students from Kenwood Middle School in Clarksville for a field trip to Jackson, Tennessee.
Patterns detected: ARC-0024 Ambiguity (The article does not clarify how many people were initially injured; the number given later includes both the originally injured and those who were later released after evaluation).
Root Cause: The root cause of this incident lies in the complex interplay between transportation safety regulations, driver behavior, and infrastructure. This tragic event highlights the need for continuous improvement in school bus safety measures to protect students and staff.
Implications: The implications of this tragedy are far-reaching, affecting not only the families and friends of the deceased and injured but also the broader community. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety in transportation systems, particularly those involving children.
Bridge Questions: What factors contributed to this school bus crash? How can we improve school bus safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future? What steps should be taken to support the families and friends of those affected by this tragedy?