Three Tuscarawas Valley High School Students Among Victims of Ohio Bus Crash That Killed Four, Injured 15

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Smoke Rises from Wreckage of Ohio Bus Crash That Killed Four, Injured 15

In a devastating accident on Tuesday morning, a bus crash in Ohio claimed the lives of four individuals and left 15 others injured. The victims of this tragic incident include three students from Tuscarawas Valley High School, as confirmed by the school district superintendent, Dr. Derek Varansky. The teenagers, identified as Katelyn Owens, 15, Jeffery Worrell, 18, and John Mosely, 18, were among those who tragically lost their lives. Additionally, a high school teacher and two parent chaperones, Dave Kennat, 56, Kristy Gaynor, 39, and Shannon Wigfield, 45, also perished in the crash.

Following the accident, 20 students were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Fortunately, 18 of them have since been released, while two remain in the hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. The crash occurred around 8:15 am and led to the closure of parts of I-70 at State Route 310 and westbound at State Route 158.

In the wake of this devastating event, Governor Mike DeWine has ordered Tuscarawas County government buildings and the Ohio Statehouse to fly their flags at half-mast. In a statement, the governor expressed his condolences and acknowledged the unimaginable pain that families and schools are enduring.

The Ohio Highway Patrol is currently investigating the crash, which involved a charter bus, two commercial vehicles, and two passenger vehicles. According to initial findings, all vehicles were traveling westbound on I-70 when the chain-reaction crash occurred. As a result of the collision, at least three of the vehicles caught fire.

The charter bus was carrying 54 students and chaperones from Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools. Sadly, three passengers, John W. Mosely, Jeffery D. Worrell, and Katelyn N. Owens, were pronounced deceased at the scene. The other victims were occupants of the passenger and commercial vehicles involved in the crash.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is urging anyone who witnessed the accident to come forward with any information that may be helpful to the investigation. They can contact the patrol at (614) 466-2660.

As the community mourns the loss of these young lives and the dedicated individuals who perished, hundreds of people gathered at the Tuscarawas Valley High School football stadium for a prayer vigil. Band students from the Tuscarawas Valley School district, who were onboard the bus at the time of the accident, were honored during the vigil. Six candles were placed on a trestle table in front of the bleachers, symbolizing the six lives lost in this tragic incident.

Dr. Derek Varansky, addressing the vigil, expressed the profound grief felt by the entire community. He described the three students who lost their lives as “bright lights full of life” and expressed condolences for the teacher and chaperones who also perished. The superintendent acknowledged that there are no words to adequately convey the magnitude of loss and grief felt by all..