Zoe Davis and Arianna Pearson Identified Among 2 Children Killed in Tennessee School Bus Crash as Hundreds Gather for Emotional Vigil

Zoe Davis and Arianna Pearson have been identified as the two children killed in a Tennessee school bus crash, as hundreds of mourners gathered for an emotional vigil to honor their lives.

The tragic crash occurred on March 27 and involved a Montgomery County school bus, a Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) dump truck, and a passenger vehicle. The collision left multiple students and adults injured, sending shockwaves through the local community.

A day after the fatal accident, grieving classmates, families, and community members came together for a candlelight vigil to remember the victims. The gathering, filled with emotion, took place as students struggled to process the sudden loss of their peers.

The victims were identified by local outlets, including WZTV Nashville and Clarksville Now, as well as GoFundMe pages created to support their families. However, authorities have not yet officially confirmed the identities.

Students and parents shared their heartbreak as they paid tribute. One student expressed the difficulty of returning to school without her classmates, while a parent recalled the trauma experienced by their child who witnessed the aftermath of the crash.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), which is leading the investigation, more than 20 students and five adults were on the school bus at the time of the collision. Two adults were traveling in the TDOT dump truck, while one individual was in the passenger vehicle.

Emergency responders rushed multiple victims to nearby hospitals. Nineteen injured patients were transported to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Carroll County, while four pediatric patients were airlifted to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville for specialized care.

In a statement, the THP said the investigation is ongoing and will take time as officials work with local, state, and federal partners to determine what led to the crash.

“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 agency said.

Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS) officials also expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, describing the loss as devastating for the entire school community.

Director of Schools Dr. Jean Luna-Vedder shared an emotional message, noting that the group of Kenwood Middle School students and educators had been traveling to a regional competition when their journey was suddenly cut short.

“As a mother and a lifelong educator, I cannot begin to imagine the fear and pain they continue to endure,” she said, urging the community to support the affected families and students.

She also highlighted the compassion shown in the aftermath of the tragedy, calling it a powerful reminder of unity during times of grief.

“Our hearts are shattered at the tragic loss of two young lives,” the school district said in a separate statement, adding that continued support will be essential for the Kenwood Middle School community in the days ahead.

GoFundMe pages have been established to assist the families of Zoe Davis and Arianna Pearson as they navigate this unimaginable loss.