Heartbreaking: Katelyn N. Owens, 15, among 6 killed in bus crash on I-70

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Heartbreaking: Tragic Bus Crash Claims the Lives of 6 and Injures 18 on I-70

ETNA TOWNSHIP, OH, (November 14, 2023) – A devastating accident on Tuesday morning claimed the lives of six individuals and left several others injured when a semi-truck rear-ended a Pioneer Trails charter bus. The bus was carrying band students from the Tuscarawas Valley Local School District and the incident occurred on Interstate 70 in Etna.

The collision involved a total of five vehicles, including the bus, the semi-truck, and a passenger vehicle carrying two chaperones and a teacher. Tragically, three passengers on the bus were pronounced dead at the scene, with one victim identified as 15-year-old Katelyn N. Owens from Mineral City.

The other three deceased victims were the chaperones and the teacher. The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported that the horrifying incident took place around 9 a.m. on I-70 near the Smoke Road underpass in Licking County, approximately 26 miles east of Columbus. Authorities stated that the chain-reaction crash occurred when the semi-truck collided with the bus.

According to the Tuscarawas Valley School District, 20 students were transported to the hospital following the crash. The district has confirmed that 18 students have since been released to their parents, while two remain hospitalized for further treatment.

An ongoing investigation is being conducted to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the accident. Incidents such as this are often avoidable if drivers exercise extra caution while on the roadways.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported that driver-related factors were recorded in 2,554 out of 7,368 fatal semi-truck crashes during a recent two-year period. Various other factors can contribute to a tractor-trailer crash, including loss of control, tire blowouts, vehicle failures, excessive speed, lane drifting, improper maneuvering, and driver fatigue.

Candice Bond, an experienced semi-truck crash attorney, emphasized the importance of thorough investigations into such accidents. In representing grieving families, attorneys can scrutinize the accident scene, examine the vehicles involved, and review the trucking company’s logbooks and other records to preserve crucial evidence.

“Tractor-trailer crashes are often complex, and numerous factors can play a role in these types of accidents,” stated Bond, who serves as the Managing Partner of Bond Legal.

Pending the investigation, the family of Katelyn N. Owens may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims have the right to seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following catastrophic accidents like this one.

“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Stefano Formica, Of Counsel with Bond Legal. “We understand just what families are forced to go through, and having their rights protected is vital. A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.”

If you have been involved in a similar accident and require assistance, reach out to one of The Legal Advocate’s national legal analysts for a free, no-obligation consultation.

(Candice Bond, Managing Partner, and Stefano Formica, Of Counsel, at Bond Legal, serve as the national legal analysts for The Legal Advocate. The Legal Advocate may utilize quotes from prior interviews with their analysts for news articles. If you wish to contact Bond Legal for assistance, please call 866-599-0297 or use the submission box found on their website. Please note that legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in the reader’s respective state)..