TUSCARAWAS COUNTY, Ohio — Those close to the deceased victims from Tuesday's horrific crash involving a charter bus with Tuscarawas Valley High School band students are still in deep shock over what happened. Though in a lot of pain, some loved ones are opening up about how the tragedy is affecting them.
Six people died in the fiery event in Licking County that involved five vehicles on I-70 — including a semi and the charter bus that was carrying students and chaperones. The bus was on its way to the Ohio School Boards Association conference in Columbus when the crash occurred at approximately 8:52 a.m. near the Smoke Road underpass.
On Wednesday, 3News was messaging with the father of 18-year-old Jeffery "J.D." Worrell, a student who died in the crash.
J.D.'s father George told us he was an "amazing young man" who was involved in band, choir, speech and debate, and drama. On top of that, he was selected to the superintendent's advisory council, and served as a peer mentor/counselor.
"Jeffery lived life with love and empathy for others, as he very much enjoyed helping anyone who needed it," the father said. "We are devastated that he is gone, but so thankful for the time we had with him, and the life he lived."
The other two students who were killed have been identified as 18-year-old Wyatt Mosley and 15-year-old Katelyn Owens, both of Mineral City.
One of the adult victims who lost their lives was 45-year-old Shannon Wigfield. She was one of the chaperones for the trip.
She was going into her 24th year teaching English at the Buckeye Career Center.
The school posted on social media that "Mrs. Wigfield was adored by her co-workers and students and will be remembered for her loving smile and always positive attitude."
Wednesday, 3News met up with Buckeye Career Center Superintendent Bob Alsept, who said that students and staff are absolutely devastated, and it was very difficult breaking the news to them.
"You're worried about your students and how they're going to react to this news," he said. "You're worried about your staff, because Shannon, this was her 24th year working here at Buckeye. She had relationships throughout the building, certainly with the students, and as you've seen in social media, she was 'one of the favorites,' they kept saying that, 'My favorite teacher ever.'"
Alsept said Wigfield was a wife and mother of three and will be dearly missed.
“I never saw her without a smile," he continued. "She cared and she worked with more than just teaching English. She worked with helping young people grow into young adults and feel confident about themselves."
The superintendent says they have counselors, social workers, and support dogs available right now for any student or staff that needs them.
The two others who died in the vehicle with Wigfield were Dave Kennat, 56, from Navarre and 39-year-old Kristy Gaynor of Zoar. Kennat was a math teacher at Tuscarawas Valley High School.
WJER morning radio host Michele Spring said all loved ones of the crash victims should know Tuscarawas County has their back.
"Tuscarawas County is one big family and when one of us is hurting, we definitely try to be there for the other," she explained. "And right now, Tusky Valley is a community that really needs us and Dover, New Philadelphia, and all the surrounding areas, we're definitely going to be there to support them and have them know that we are here for them to give them comfort."
Spring said their radio station has some plans in the works to support the loved ones. Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page set up for the school's band and families by the owner of the yoga studio Haven Shala has already raised tens of thousands of dollars.
Meanwhile, Cris Call is making yard signs reading "Pray for Tusky Valley." Anyone who asked for a sign can get one, just as long as they give a donation that will go to the families affected by the accident.
"When something like this hits, it's like it hits your family," Call said.
3News also briefly spoke with the mother of Katelyn Owens, who died in the crash. She told us they spent the afternoon at the funeral home, and soon they'll be sharing more about the life of their beloved daughter.
Previous Reporting:
- 'Our hearts are broken': Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools grieves loss of students, chaperones in I-70 crash
- Fund set up to support victims of deadly Ohio bus crash from Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools
- Classes resume today in Tuscarawas Valley Local School District after deadly bus crash
- UPDATES | 6 die in Ohio bus crash on I-70: Victims identified, including 3 students