Two Students Killed in Tennessee School Bus Crash

At least 7 others injured after Friday accident in Carroll County

Mar. 28, 2026 at 3:50pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car mirror lens reflecting the faint red glow of emergency lights, conceptually representing the aftermath of a serious vehicle collision.The aftermath of a school bus crash in Tennessee exposes the fragility of student transportation safety.Jackson Today

Two students were killed and at least seven other people were injured on Friday in a school bus crash in west Tennessee involving a Tennessee Department of Transportation dump truck and a Chevrolet Trailblazer. The school bus was carrying 25 students and 5 adults from Kenwood Middle School in Clarksville on a field trip to Jackson, Tennessee when the accident occurred on Highway 70 in Carroll County.

Why it matters

School bus crashes are tragic events that can have devastating impacts on local communities. This incident raises questions about transportation safety protocols and the need for increased vigilance to protect students during field trips and other school-related travel.

The details

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

  • The crash occurred at around noon on Friday, March 28, 2026.
  • The school bus was transporting students and staff from Kenwood Middle School in Clarksville to Jackson, Tennessee for a field trip.

The players

Tennessee Highway Patrol

The state law enforcement agency investigating the cause of the school bus crash.

Kenwood Middle School

The school in Clarksville, Tennessee whose students and staff were involved in the accident while on a field trip.

Tennessee Department of Transportation

The state agency whose dump truck was involved in the multi-vehicle collision.

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What they’re saying

“This is a parent's worst nightmare.”

— Maj. Travis Plotzer, Spokesperson, Tennessee Highway Patrol

What’s next

The Tennessee Highway Patrol will continue its investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash and whether any charges will be filed.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the importance of stringent safety protocols and oversight for student transportation, especially during field trips, to prevent such devastating accidents in the future.