2 Students Killed, 7 Injured in Tennessee School Bus Crash

Accident involving school bus, dump truck, and SUV leaves tragedy in Carroll County

Mar. 28, 2026 at 12:06pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged school bus tire tread, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the gritty, investigative nature of this tragic incident.The aftermath of a fatal school bus crash in Tennessee exposes the harsh realities of road safety and the fragility of young lives.Jackson Today

A school bus crash in west Tennessee on Friday killed two students and injured at least seven other people, officials said. The crash involving a Tennessee Department of Transportation dump truck, a Chevrolet Trailblazer, and the school bus took place on Highway 70 in Carroll County. A total of 25 students and 5 adults were on the bus, which was carrying students and employees from Kenwood Middle School in Clarksville for a field trip to Jackson, Tennessee.

Why it matters

School bus crashes are devastating events that can deeply impact local communities. This incident raises questions about road safety, vehicle maintenance, and emergency response protocols, especially when it comes to transporting students on field trips.

The details

According to Tennessee Highway Patrol Major Travis Plotzer, the dump truck did not directly contribute to the crash itself. The cause of the accident is still under investigation. Four injured people were taken to Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville and were in stable condition, while 19 others were evaluated and released from Baptist Memorial Hospital-Carroll County.

  • The crash occurred around noon on Friday, March 28, 2026.
  • Counselors will be available for students starting on Monday.

The players

Tennessee Department of Transportation

The state agency that operates the dump truck involved in the crash.

Kenwood Middle School

The school in Clarksville, Tennessee that the students and employees on the bus were from, and where they were headed for a field trip.

Karen Miller

The principal of Kenwood Middle School, who shared a message with families about the tragedy and encouraged support for the community.

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What they’re saying

“Please continue to pray with us for our students, families, faculty, and staff. I am grateful for the strength of our Kenwood community, and I trust we will all support each other during this difficult time.”

— Karen Miller, Principal, Kenwood Middle School

What’s next

The Tennessee Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.

The takeaway

This tragic school bus accident underscores the importance of rigorous safety protocols and emergency preparedness when transporting students, as well as the need for communities to come together to support one another in the aftermath of such devastating events.