Arianna Pearson and Zoe Davis were killed in the tragedy on March 27
Credit: GoFundMe (2)
NEED TO KNOW
- The two children killed in a school bus crash in Tennessee on March 27 have been identified as Arianna Pearson and Zoe Davis
- Ariana was remembered as a “bright light” and Zoe was described as being “wonderful” in touching tributes after their deaths
- Both were killed when their school bus collided with a Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) dump truck and a passenger vehicle during a field trip
The two children killed in a school bus crash in Tennessee have been identified.
According to GoFundMe pages and local outlets, including WZTV Nashville and Clarksville Now, Zoe Davis and Arianna Pearson are the victims of the March 27 tragedy, when a Montgomery County school bus collided with a Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) dump truck and a passenger vehicle.
“Yesterday afternoon, we received the devastating news that our wonderful girl Zoe was one of the children killed in the bus accident in Carroll County,” Patricia Shipley wrote on the GoFundMe page that was set up to raise funds for the child's family. “My friends are completely lost and heartbroken.”
Carri Barnes, a family friend who set up a GoFundMe for the same reason for Arianna's loved ones, wrote that the child's parents are "facing the unimaginable loss of their beautiful daughter."
"Arianna was a bright light in their lives, and her absence is deeply felt by everyone who knew her," Barnes added.
Credit: GoFundMe
More than 20 students and five adults were on the bus when it crashed on March 27.
Two adults were in the TDOT truck, and one person was in the passenger vehicle, Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Major Travis Plotzer confirmed at a later press conference, WSMV 4 Nashville reported.
According to the Clarksville-Moncomery County School System (CMCSS), the students and staff from Kenwood Middle School were traveling on a field trip to the GreenpowerUSA event in Jackson, Tenn., when the crash occurred.
"Our hearts are shattered at the tragic loss of two young lives,” the school district said in a statement. "We continue to pray for the students and employees injured and everyone who was affected by today’s accident."
"The Kenwood Middle community will need our continued support, and we will share opportunities to assist families as details are confirmed," the statement added.
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Credit: GoFundMe
The THP, which is currently investigating the incident, told PEOPLE in a statement on March 28, "This investigation will be a lengthy process as our investigators continue work with our local, state and federal partners to gather the facts."
"We mourn the lives lost and hold those who were injured, along with their families and loved ones, in our thoughts during this incredibly difficult time," the organization added.
The THP has not officially confirmed the identities of the deceased children.
Heartbroken classmates and community members visited Kenwood Middle School a day after the tragedy to honor the victims.
"I just don't understand how I'm going to come in on Monday and know that they're [not] going to be there," one student, M'kayiea Smith, told WZTV Nashville.
One parent, Xaviel Lugo, said to Clarksville Now, “My daughter saw one of the girls that passed away. … I just wish she never would have experienced that."
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