Deadly Clarksville School Bus Crash Captured on Dash Cam

Two students killed, several others injured in head-on collision with TDOT dump truck and Chevy Trailblazer

Mar. 29, 2026 at 3:51am

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A school bus carrying 24 students, four teachers, and the driver from Kenwood Middle School in Clarksville, Tennessee crashed head-on into a TDOT dump truck and then a Chevy Trailblazer on a field trip to a racing event. Two students were killed, and several others were injured, including one of the teachers who helped evacuate students despite his own injuries.

Why it matters

This tragic incident raises concerns about school bus safety protocols, the risks of student field trips, and the need for improved road infrastructure and driver training to prevent such devastating crashes in the future.

The details

According to eyewitness accounts, the bus was traveling down Highway 70 when it collided head-on with the TDOT dump truck and then the Chevy Trailblazer. Students on the bus described a chaotic scene, with people being thrown around and blood on the floor. Two students were pronounced dead at the scene, while several others, including one of the teachers, were airlifted to the hospital with injuries.

  • The crash occurred on March 29, 2026, as the bus was transporting students to a racing event.
  • The students were on their way to the Greenpower USA Toyota Hub City Grand Prix, where they were set to race the electric car they had built over the course of the school year.

The players

Xelani Lugo

An eighth-grade student from Kenwood Middle School who was on the bus during the crash and suffered head injuries.

Xaviel and Rosalee Lugo

Xelani's parents, who were following the bus and witnessed the crash.

Mr. Winn

A teacher on the bus who helped evacuate students despite his own injuries.

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What they’re saying

“I had my head resting on the window. My eyes were closed. I opened my eyes and all I saw was us moving downward, it looked like out the window. And then the whole left side of the bus just crashed in and I saw people fly pretty much backwards. People that were sitting in the front rows ended up right in front of me. I was the fourth row from the back.”

— Xelani Lugo, Student

“I didn't initially see the dump truck that was coming, and then it's just like, you heard the sound, and then you saw like a fireball kind of happen.”

— Xaviel Lugo, Parent

“He was bleeding and he couldn't hardly see. He said he couldn't see very much, but he was like, 'Get the kids, get the kids.'”

— Xaviel Lugo, Parent

What’s next

Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash and will work to determine if any safety protocols or infrastructure improvements are needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The takeaway

This tragic event highlights the importance of prioritizing student safety during school field trips and the need for comprehensive safety measures on school buses and roads to protect vulnerable passengers, especially children.