- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Clarksville Today
By the People, for the People
Clarksville Students Mourn Classmates Killed in School Bus Crash
Bryson Raigan, 14, recounts the tragic incident that took the lives of two of his peers.
Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:08am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The aftermath of the tragic school bus crash in Clarksville exposes the fragility of student safety and the need for comprehensive investigations.Clarksville TodayA school bus crash in Clarksville, Tennessee has left two Kenwood Middle School students dead and several others injured, including 14-year-old Bryson Raigan. Raigan, who was on the bus, spoke from his hospital bed about the accident that killed his classmates Arianna Pearson and Zoe Davis, both 8th graders. The bus was carrying 24 students and 5 adults to a team competition when it crossed the double yellow line and collided head-on with a TDOT vehicle.
Why it matters
The tragic loss of young lives has deeply impacted the Clarksville community, with grief counselors on hand at the school and flags flying at half-staff across the city. The incident has raised concerns about school bus safety and the need for thorough investigations to determine the cause of the crash.
The details
According to Bryson Raigan, the bus was carrying the class, who had built a race car, to a team competition when the accident occurred. Raigan said he couldn't feel the lower part of his body after the crash, but his first concern was checking on his classmates. He described his two deceased classmates, Arianna Pearson and Zoe Davis, with Arianna being the 'popular girl' and Zoe being more quiet and artistic. Raigan has a broken leg and pelvis and will be out of school for several weeks, but he is grateful for the community's support during this difficult time.
- The crash occurred on Friday, March 28, 2026.
- Arianna Pearson would have turned 14 over the weekend.
The players
Bryson Raigan
A 14-year-old student at Kenwood Middle School who was on the bus during the crash and suffered a broken leg and pelvis.
Arianna Pearson
An 8th grade student at Kenwood Middle School who was killed in the crash. She was described as the 'popular girl' by Bryson Raigan.
Zoe Davis
An 8th grade student at Kenwood Middle School who was killed in the crash. She was described as quiet and artistic by Bryson Raigan.
Kenwood Middle School
The school attended by the students involved in the crash.
TDOT
The Tennessee Department of Transportation, whose vehicle was involved in the head-on collision with the school bus.
What they’re saying
“I keep on asking myself why did this happen, why did it have to be them.”
— Bryson Raigan, Student
“Zoe was type of girl to keep to herself. Quiet, like drawing, had her own book of drawing.”
— Bryson Raigan, Student
“Ariana was the popular girl. I remember always looking up to her. Making jokes with her.”
— Bryson Raigan, Student
“I want to let them know that we are making a recovery and we really appreciate the support they are giving us.”
— Bryson Raigan, Student
What’s next
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is now on the scene in Carroll County investigating the cause of the crash.
The takeaway
This tragic incident has deeply impacted the Clarksville community, highlighting the need for thorough investigations into school bus safety and the importance of providing grief counseling and support to students and families affected by such devastating events.
