“I told him repeatedly, you know, you could do it on the side of the road..."
Two beloved Ohio parents, Donald and Maria Nunney, were dropping their son off at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill when they were involved in a fatal car accident.
Both parents, who are longtime teachers at the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, were killed in the accident, which occurred on Aug. 15, according to a GoFundMe set up by a family member.
The couple’s two youngest children, 15-year-old Lucia and 9-year-old Leo, were also in the car at the time of the accident. Both kids “survived and are healing from major trauma and injuries,” per GoFundMe.
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According to People, the couple were driving down the interstate when their car veered off the road and struck several small trees.
The vehicle then “traveled down an embankment and collided with a large tree,” per the outlet.
The couple’s eldest son Noah, who was set to start his sophomore year at UNC Chapel Hill on Aug. 18, was in a separate vehicle behind his parents when the crash happened, according to WOIO.
Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Donald and Maria Nunney, as well as the entire CMSD community. pic.twitter.com/tQpfa6Ru2o
— Office of Mayor Bibb (@CLEMayorsOffice) August 20, 2025
They were reportedly on their way to meet Noah for lunch after dropping him off at college, per CBS17.
Donald and Maria Nunney also share an 18-year-old son Diego who was not involved in the North Carolina car accident.
“These four incredible kids are facing an unimaginable loss,” the GoFundMe read. “As their family, we want to do everything we can to make sure their needs are cared for and their futures protected.”
Victims of fatal car accident were beloved teachers in Cleveland area
According to WKYC, Donald Nunney was a language arts teacher at Joseph M. Gallagher School in Cleveland, Ohio. He was airlifted to a nearby hospital where he died shortly after.
His wife Maria, who was in the passenger seat, was an educator at Wilbur Wright PreK-8 School, also in Cleveland, per WKYC. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
“They were just incredible teachers, loving and attentive and committed parents. They were active in the community,” said Shari Obrenski, the President of the Cleveland Teachers Union, per WOIO.
“Their loss has hit everyone so hard that it is unimaginable for their family and their children. So shocking and heartbreaking and just devastating,” Obrenski added.
REST IN PEACE 🙏 Donald and Maria Nunney, a married couple who are both educators in the same school district, were killed in a fiery crash while dropping their son off at college. https://t.co/otuZaKhRyF pic.twitter.com/r3FI1H6XVC
— 10 Tampa Bay (@10TampaBay) August 18, 2025
Proceeds from the GoFundMe, which was organized by Maria Nunney’s sister, will support the family.
“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 GoFundMe description read.
“That legacy will live on through Noah, Diego, Lucia, and Leo, who carry forward the very best parts of who their parents were,” the description continued.
On Aug. 20, the victim’s sister provided an update on Noah and his two youngest siblings.
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“Both kids are expected to make a full recovery. And Noah is so strong and poised. I keep forgetting he's only 19. Thank you again,” she wrote in the update.
