Six People Dead, Including John W. Mosely, in Deadly Ohio Highway Crash Involving Charter Bus Filled with High School Students

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Etna, Ohio (AP) — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched a team to investigate a tragic highway crash in Ohio that claimed the lives of six people and left 18 others injured. The incident involved a charter bus filled with high school students and occurred on westbound Interstate 70 in Licking County, approximately 26 miles (42 kilometers) east of Columbus. NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy announced that the team would commence their work on Wednesday, focusing on gathering evidence from the five vehicles involved in the crash.

In her statement, Homendy revealed that the team would be searching for any available footage from cameras and other potential sources that could shed light on the sequence of events leading up to the devastating chain-reaction crash. The team is expected to remain in the area for a period of five to seven days, and a preliminary report is anticipated within the coming weeks.

During a press conference, Homendy acknowledged the presence of conflicting information regarding the exact chain of events that led to the collision. The crash involved an SUV, a semitruck, and the Pioneer Trails charter bus, which was transporting students and chaperones from the Tuscarawas Valley Local School District in eastern Ohio.

Tragically, three passengers on the bus, identified as John W. Mosely, 18, of Mineral City; Jeffery D. Worrell, 18, of Bolivar; and Katelyn N. Owens, 15, of Mineral City, were pronounced dead at the scene. The bus was en route to the Ohio School Boards Association conference in Columbus, an event that was subsequently canceled upon learning of the crash. The conference was set to offer professional development sessions and an annual Student Achievement Fair showcasing innovative school programs.

Superintendent Derek Varansky of Tuscarawas Valley expressed his grief and described the day as one of the darkest in the district’s history. He emphasized the need to honor the victims and support surviving students who endured the traumatic experience. Recognizing the challenging days ahead, Varansky announced that classes would proceed on Wednesday, albeit with additional counselors and support staff from community organizations available to assist students.

The collision also claimed the lives of three individuals from one of the passenger vehicles involved. The deceased were identified as Dave Kennat, 56, of Navarre; Kristy Gaynor, 39, of Zoar; and Shannon Wigfield, 45, of Bolivar. The driver of the other passenger vehicle sustained injuries and was transported to a hospital. Among the drivers of the commercial vehicles, one received treatment at the scene, while the other was taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The crash resulted in the closure of both sides of Interstate 70, causing significant traffic delays in the area. However, as of Wednesday, the eastbound lanes have reopened, and the westbound lanes are accessible once again.

One student, Tori Wilson, a sophomore at Tuscarawas Valley, recounted her harrowing experience aboard the bus. Wilson shared her struggle to escape as she overheard someone mentioning a fire and the urgent need to evacuate. Trapped, she witnessed the devastating injuries suffered by her fellow passengers. Eventually, she managed to free herself through a window and flee the burning bus. Throughout the chaos, the junior high band director demonstrated immense bravery, repeatedly reentering the vehicle to rescue students and lead them to safety.

This tragedy marks the second fatal crash involving high school students on a charter bus within a short span of time. In September, a charter bus carrying students to band camp veered off a New York highway, resulting in two fatalities and several injuries.

Following a previous school bus accident in Clark County, Ohio, where an 11-year-old student lost their life, Republican Governor Mike DeWine established the School Bus Safety Working Group in August. The incident involved a minivan colliding with a school bus, resulting in the minivan driver facing charges of vehicular homicide. The working group, which convenes next Thursday, will discuss various aspects of school bus safety and is expected to present recommendations by the end of the year. While it remains unclear how charter buses will be addressed in the final report, Tuesday’s tragic crash will undoubtedly be acknowledged during the meeting.

In conclusion, the NTSB team’s arrival at the scene of the devastating Ohio highway crash involving a charter bus filled with high school students marks the beginning of a thorough investigation. As the community mourns the loss of six lives, efforts to support the survivors and ensure the safety of students in future transportation endeavors are underway..