The Cleveland education community is reeling from an unimaginable tragedy that has claimed the lives of two beloved educators, Maria Nunney, 50, and her husband, Donald Nunney, 55. The couple, both dedicated members of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), perished in a fiery car crash in North Carolina on Friday, August 15, 2025, while traveling with their family. Their deaths have left a void in the hearts of their students, colleagues, and the entire Cleveland community, as they are remembered not only as exceptional teachers but as devoted parents and pillars of kindness.
The accident unfolded in a harrowing moment near Chapel Hill, North Carolina, at approximately 1:18 p.m. on the bustling intersection of Interstate 85 north and Interstate 40 east. The Nunney family was on a poignant journey, driving their 2018 Honda Odyssey to drop off their eldest son, Noah, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was set to begin his freshman year. Noah, a recent graduate of the Cleveland School of Science and Medicine and the first CMSD student to earn the prestigious Morehead-Cain Scholarship, was traveling in a separate vehicle when the unthinkable happened.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the Nunneys’ minivan, driven by Donald, inexplicably veered off the highway to the right. The vehicle careened into a wooded area, striking several trees before colliding with a large one, bringing it to a devastating stop. Contrary to initial reports, authorities later clarified that the van did not catch fire, but the impact was catastrophic. Maria, seated in the front passenger seat, was pronounced dead at the scene. Donald was airlifted to UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill in critical condition but, heartbreakingly, succumbed to his injuries shortly after. Their two younger children, a 14-year-old daughter and a 9-year-old son, who were in the backseat, survived the crash but sustained injuries. The daughter’s condition was reported as more serious, and both children were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they remain under care as of Sunday, August 17, 2025. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash, with no indication yet of whether speed, a medical emergency, or another factor was involved. No other vehicles were implicated, and no charges will be filed.
The Nunneys were more than just educators; they were beacons of inspiration in Cleveland’s schools. Donald served as a language arts teacher for grades four through six at Joseph M. Gallagher School, where his passion for literature and storytelling ignited curiosity in young minds. Maria, a compassionate school counselor at Wilbur Wright PreK-8 School, was known for her unwavering support for students navigating challenges both academic and personal. Together, they embodied the spirit of education, fostering growth, resilience, and hope in their classrooms and beyond. Shari Obrenski, President of the Cleveland Teachers Union, spoke through tears of their impact: “Maria and Donald were incredible teachers, loving and attentive parents, and deeply committed to their students and community. Their loss is a wound we’ll feel for years to come.”
The timing of the tragedy adds to its weight, as it occurred just days before the start of the 2025-2026 school year on Monday, August 18. CMSD, grappling with the loss, has pledged to provide additional grief counselors and resources at affected schools to support students and staff. “Our heart is with the Nunney family at this very tragic moment,” said CMSD Communications Officer Jon Benedict in a statement. “We can confirm that we will have additional counselors on hand to support the student and staff communities at the many impacted schools.” The district’s response underscores the profound ripple effect of the couple’s loss, as colleagues and students prepare to return to classrooms forever altered by their absence.
For the Nunney family, the pain is unimaginable. Their eldest son, Noah, witnessed the crash, a moment that will undoubtedly mark his life as he begins his college journey. The family’s two younger children, now fighting to recover in the hospital, face a future without their parents’ guiding presence. Yet, amidst the sorrow, the community has rallied around them. Tributes have poured in, with colleagues and neighbors describing the Nunneys as a family defined by love and dedication. “They were the kind of people who made everyone around them better,” one fellow teacher shared. “Maria’s warmth could light up a room, and Donald’s patience with his students was unmatched.”
As Cleveland mourns, the legacy of Maria and Donald Nunney endures in the countless lives they touched. Their commitment to education, their devotion to their children, and their ability to inspire those around them will not be forgotten. The road ahead for their family, students, and community will be heavy with grief, but the memories of two extraordinary educators will continue to shine brightly, a testament to a life well-lived and a love fiercely shared.
