COLUMBUS, Ohio — At an event on Wednesday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine addressed the deadly Ohio bus crash in Licking County that killed six and injured 18 the previous day.
Gov. DeWine made his remarks on the crash as he joined the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Ohio Investigative Unit to celebrate the 90th anniversary for both agencies.
Prior to speaking, DeWine asked for a moment of silence to remember those who were involved in the crash.
"This is a tight-knit community and I'm sure there is no one in that community that is not feeling this pain," said Gov. DeWine.
The event took place at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy in Columbus where DeWine was joined by Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson and Ohio State Highway Patrol Colonel Charles Jones.
DeWine saluted the OSHP for their work during Tuesday's crash, saying that troopers brought "order during chaos," while "helping fellow Ohioans on what undoubtedly was the worst day of their lives."
You can watch DeWine's remarks below:
Additionally, the NTSB will provide an update amid the investigation of the deadly Ohio bus crash at 4 p.m.
The Licking County crash involved five vehicles — including a semi and a charter bus that was carrying students and chaperones from the Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools. 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.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol reports that six people have died as a result of the crash. Three of them were passengers on the charter bus and students at Tuscarawas Valley High School:
- Wyatt Mosley, 18, Mineral City
- Jeffery "J.D." Worrell, 18, Bolivar
- Katelyn Owens, 15, Mineral City
One of the passenger vehicles involved in the crash was occupied by three people. All three were pronounced dead at the scene and were identified as Dave Kennat, 56, Navarre; Kristy Gaynor, 39, Zoar; and Shannon Wigfield, 45, Bolivar.
"This is our worst nightmare when we have a bus full of children involved in a crash. It certainly is the worst nightmare that families can endure or a school can endure,” said Gov. DeWine during a brief press conference on Tuesday.
Gov. DeWine ordered flags to be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Tuscarawas and Stark counties, at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center and Rhodes Tower from sunrise on Nov. 15, until sunset on Nov. 18.
