Six People Killed in Deadly I-70 Crash in Licking County: Victims Identified as John W. Mosely, Jeffery D. Worrell, Katelyn N. Owens, Dave Kennat, Kristy Gaynor, and Shannon Wigfield

Police – Accident – Death – Obituary News : National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair Jennifer Homendy has outlined the next steps her team will take to investigate the tragic crash on I-70 in Licking County, Ohio, which claimed the lives of six people from Tuscawaras County. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Homendy stated that the investigation could take over a year to complete. She also mentioned that a preliminary report will be released in a few weeks, and if any urgent issues are identified, the agency may issue safety recommendations earlier to prevent similar crashes in the future.

“We have a public health crisis on our roads and we need all hands on deck here. We need to take action to save lives,” Homendy emphasized, highlighting the importance of addressing road safety.

The devastating crash resulted in the deaths of six individuals and left over a dozen others hospitalized. The collision involved five vehicles, including a bus carrying 54 students and chaperones. Tragically, three passengers on the bus were pronounced dead at the scene. The victims were identified as John W. Mosely, 18, from Mineral City; Jeffery D. Worrell, 18, from Bolivar; and Katelyn N. Owens, 15, also from Mineral City.

The bus was en route to an Ohio School Boards Association conference in Columbus, according to Tuscarawas Valley Superintendent Derek Varansky. Additionally, three individuals in a passenger vehicle accompanying the bus lost their lives. The victims were identified as Dave Kennat, 56, from Navarre; Kristy Gaynor, 39, from Zoar; and Shannon Wigfield, 45, from Bolivar.

The tragedy has deeply affected the community, prompting the Tusky Valley School District to organize a vigil to mourn the loss of the six community members. The district provided optional classes on Wednesday and offered resources to support students and faculty grieving the loss.

Homendy, accompanied by Ohio State Highway Patrol Colonel Charles Jones and NTSB Investigator In-Charge Kenneth Bragg, held the press conference at the OSHP training facility in Columbus. The federal investigators visited the crash site for the first time on Wednesday and will spend the following weeks collecting physical evidence from the site and the five vehicles involved in the crash.

A team of nine investigators and seven additional experts from the NTSB are currently involved in the investigation. Colonel Jones emphasized that the process will take time to ensure accurate and factual reporting.

Regarding the crash details, Homendy provided additional information, including the order of the vehicles at the time of the collision. She stated that a semi-truck led the procession, followed by a red SUV, the charter bus carrying the students, a second passenger vehicle accompanying the bus, and another semi-truck. Photos of the second passenger vehicle revealed its near unrecognizable state, with the burnt remains of the rear semi resembling a mere shell.

Furthermore, it was revealed that only the charter bus driver was wearing a seatbelt. However, no further information was provided regarding another crash that occurred an hour before this one on I-70 westbound. Homendy mentioned that the five vehicles involved in the deadly crash were approaching a traffic queue when the collision occurred.

During the press conference, Homendy, Bragg, and Jones refrained from answering questions regarding the cause of the crash, the sequence of events, or the factors that led to the fire engulfing the second semi-truck and the charter bus. They explained that much of this information is still unknown but will likely be uncovered during the course of the ongoing investigation into the crash.

In conclusion, the NTSB’s thorough investigation into the tragic crash on I-70 in Licking County continues as they strive to uncover the causes and prevent similar incidents in the future. The devastating loss of six lives has deeply impacted the community, prompting mourning and support from the Tusky Valley School District. As the investigation progresses, more details will emerge, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking event..