Married couple Employees of Cleveland Schools Killed in North Carolina Crash

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – A Cleveland couple, both employees of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), were killed Friday in a crash on Interstate 85/40 in North Carolina, authorities confirmed.

Couple Identified as Donald and Maria Nunney

The victims were identified as Donald Nunney, 55, and his wife Maria Nunney, 50. According to state patrol reports, the couple was driving a 2018 Honda Odyssey when the vehicle veered off the road just before 1:20 p.m., struck several trees, went down an embankment, and hit a large tree.

Maria Nunney was pronounced dead at the scene. Donald Nunney was flown to a hospital in Chapel Hill, where he later died of his injuries.

Children Injured in Crash

The couple’s two children – a 14-year-old daughter and a 9-year-old son – were also in the vehicle and sustained injuries. They were taken to local hospitals. As of Sunday, their conditions had not been made public.

Educators Remembered

Donald Nunney worked as a language arts teacher at Joseph M. Gallagher Elementary School, while Maria Nunney served as a school counselor at Wilbur Wright PreK-8 School.

The crash comes just as CMSD students return for their first day of classes Monday.

“We can confirm that we will have additional counselors and resources on hand to support the student and staff communities at the many impacted schools,” said Jon Benedict, CMSD Communications Officer. “Our heart is with them at this very tragic moment.”

Full details of the crash and school district’s response were reported by Cleveland.com.

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