Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Tragic Collision Involving School Bus and Semitruck Leaves Six Dead in Ohio

A devastating accident on an Ohio highway took the lives of six individuals, including three students, after a semitruck rear-ended a charter bus carrying high school students. The fiery crash occurred on Tuesday morning, just before 9 a.m., on Interstate 70. Over a dozen people were also injured in the five-vehicle collision, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The charter bus was transporting students from a school in eastern Ohio, with a total of 54 individuals on board. Tragically, three teenagers lost their lives in the crash. They have been identified as 18-year-old John W. Mosely, 18-year-old Jeffery D. Worrell, and 15-year-old Katelyn N. Owens. The school district confirmed that these three young victims were students at the school.

The students and chaperones were en route to the Ohio School Boards Association conference in Columbus when the accident occurred. The three individuals in one of the passenger vehicles involved in the collision also succumbed to their injuries. They have been identified as 56-year-old Dave Kennat, 39-year-old Kristy Gaynor, and 45-year-old Shannon Wigfield. The school district confirmed that a teacher and two parent chaperones were among the victims in the passenger vehicle.

The chain-reaction crash involved a charter bus, two commercial vehicles, and two passenger vehicles, all traveling westbound on I-70. The collision was so severe that at least three of the vehicles caught fire, intensifying the tragedy. The cause of the accident is still under investigation, with the National Transportation Safety Board planning to commence its official inquiry on Wednesday.

Superintendent Derek Varansky expressed the school district’s grief and commitment to supporting the affected families, stating, “Right now, our focus is on getting in touch with our Tusky Valley families who had loved ones on the bus and providing support to our entire school community. Our Trojan family is strong, and it will take that strength and love to get through these coming challenging days.”

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine addressed the devastating incident during a press conference, calling it a “worst nightmare” for both families and schools. In honor of the victims, DeWine ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in Tuscarawas County and at the state Capitol.

The crash resulted in the closure of the highway in both directions for several hours, causing significant traffic disruptions. However, the road has since reopened to normal traffic.

Tuscarawas Valley Schools held a poignant prayer vigil at their stadium on Tuesday night to remember and honor the victims of the tragic collision. As the investigation continues, the community comes together to support one another during this difficult time.

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