Two Ohio Teachers Killed in North Carolina Crash While Dropping Son Off at College
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – A heartbreaking crash in North Carolina claimed the lives of two longtime Ohio teachers as they traveled with their family to drop their eldest son off at college.
Couple Killed in Fiery Crash
Maria Nunney, 50, and her husband, Donald Nunney, 55, were killed on August 15 when their minivan veered off the road and struck a tree near the interchange of Interstate 85 north and Interstate 40 east, outside Chapel Hill. The vehicle caught fire after the impact.
The couple’s two younger children, ages 14 and 9, were seriously injured in the wreck and remain under medical care. Their eldest son, who was headed to begin his studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was traveling in a separate car and pulled over after the crash.
Shock for Family and Community
“Their entire world has changed,” said Sgt. Tyler Tucker of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, who confirmed the details of the accident.
The Nunneys were both well-known teachers in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Colleagues described them as educators who left a lasting mark on students’ lives.
“They were just incredible teachers, loving and attentive and committed parents,” said Shari Obrenski, president of the Cleveland Teachers Union. “They were active in the community. Their loss has hit everyone so hard that it is unimaginable for their family and their children. So shocking and heartbreaking and just devastating.”
School District Offers Support
The crash occurred just days before the start of the new school year in Cleveland, which began August 18. District officials said extra resources and counseling have been made available for both students and staff coping with the tragic loss.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the cause of the crash.
The tragedy has deeply affected both the Ohio education community and the Chapel Hill area, leaving friends, colleagues, and students grieving a devastating loss.
Readers who knew the Nunneys or wish to share memories of their impact are invited to join the conversation at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
