2 Children Killed in Tennessee School Bus Crash Identified, Families Say They’re ‘Completely Lost and Heartbroken’

Authorities and grieving family members have identified the two children killed in a violent multi-vehicle collision involving a school bus on March 27. The victims, identified as Zoe Davis and Arianna Pearson, were students at Kenwood Middle School traveling on a sanctioned field trip when the tragedy occurred.

The collision took place in Carroll County as a Montgomery County school bus transported more than 20 students and five adults to a GreenpowerUSA event in Jackson, Tennessee. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), the bus collided with a Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) dump truck and a third passenger vehicle.

Major Travis Plotzer of the THP confirmed that two adults were inside the TDOT vehicle and one individual occupied the passenger car. While the exact mechanics of the crash remain under investigation, the impact resulted in immediate fatalities and several injuries among the bus passengers.

Identities of the deceased were confirmed through local reports from WZTV Nashville and Clarksville Now, as well as verified GoFundMe campaigns established to support the bereaved families.

• Zoe Davis: Described by family as a “wonderful girl,” her loss has left the community “heartbroken,” according to statements from her family’s representatives.
• Arianna Pearson: Remembered as a “bright light” by friends, Pearson’s parents are reportedly facing an “unimaginable loss.”

“Our hearts are shattered at the tragic loss of two young lives,” the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS) said in a formal statement. The district is providing counseling services as students and faculty return to the Kenwood Middle School campus.

The THP’s Critical Incident Response Team is currently leading the probe into the crash. Officials have signaled that the inquiry will be exhaustive, involving state and federal partners to reconstruct the scene and determine if mechanical failure or driver error played a role.

“This investigation will be a lengthy process,” the THP stated, noting that official confirmation of the victims’ identities from their office follows strict forensic protocols.

As of Tuesday, local residents have established a growing memorial at Kenwood Middle School. The tragedy has reignited regional discussions regarding school bus safety standards and the protection of students during interstate travel.