COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) has released its traffic report on the deadly bus crash on I-70 earlier this month that claimed the lives of six people, including three students from Tuscarawas Valley High School.
A total of five vehicles were involved in the Nov. 14 Licking County crash. All five were heading westbound on I-70 near the Smoke Road underpass at approximately 8:52 a.m. The vehicles, in back-to-front order, were a Freightliner semi-trailer, Nissan Murano, the charter bus carrying Tusky Valley students and chaperones, Toyota Highlander and Volvo semi.
The sequence of events in the ODPS report begins with the Murano, charter bus, Highlander, and Volvo semi all slowing down due to traffic. The report indicates that the Freightliner struck the Murano and forced it into the back of the bus. The Freightliner overrode the Murano and struck the bus as well. The bus was forced into the rear of the Highlander, which then hit the Volvo semi and spun into the left lane. The bus then struck the back of the Volvo semi.
None of the drivers involved in the crash were found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The six people who died in the crash included three Tusky Valley students who were on the bus:
- Wyatt Mosley, 18, Mineral City
- Jeffery "J.D." Worrell, 18, Bolivar
- Katelyn Owens, 15, Mineral City
The three other people who died were in the Murano. They were identified as Dave Kennat, 56, Navarre; Kristy Gaynor, 39, Zoar; and Shannon Wigfield, 45, Bolivar.
The NTSB's preliminary report on the crash is expected to be released in the near future. That report will contain "factual information," but will not have an analysis of the crash. The agency's investigation may take anywhere from 12 to 18 months.
Previous Reporting:
- Funeral services announced for 6 killed in Ohio bus crash; Tuscarawas Valley extending Thanksgiving break for students
- NTSB at scene of deadly Ohio bus crash: See the timeline of the investigation
- 'Pray for Tusky Valley': Remembering the victims of the fatal Ohio bus crash
- 'Our hearts are broken': Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools grieves loss of students, chaperones in I-70 crash
- UPDATES | 6 die in Ohio bus crash on I-70: Victims identified, including 3 students