Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Tragic Charter Bus Accident in Licking County Leaves Six Dead and 20 Injured

CLEVELAND (WOIO/Gray News) – The Ohio State Highway Patrol has recently released its preliminary report, along with body camera footage, shedding light on the devastating five-vehicle crash that occurred in Licking County, Ohio, on November 14. The accident claimed the lives of six individuals and left 20 others injured, as reported by WOIO.

The incident involved a charter bus carrying members of the Tusky Valley High School marching band, tragically resulting in the loss of three young students.

According to the preliminary report, the vehicles involved in the collision were referred to as Units 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Unit 1 was identified as a tractor-trailer positioned at the rear of the line of cars. In front of the tractor-trailer was Unit 2, an SUV occupied by a teacher and two band volunteers. Directly in front of the SUV was Unit 3, the charter bus carrying the band members. Continuing the sequence, Unit 4 was another SUV located in front of the charter bus, while Unit 5 was the leading tractor-trailer.

According to the report, the tragic accident unfolded as Units 2, 3, 4, and 5 were slowing down due to an existing accident scene.

The report further reveals that Unit 1, a tractor-trailer owned by Mid State Systems Inc., collided with Unit 2 before subsequently crashing into Unit 3, the charter bus. Shockingly, the tractor-trailer “overrode” the SUV, meaning it ran over the vehicle and came to rest on top of it when emergency responders arrived at the scene. Following this initial collision, the tractor-trailer struck the back of the charter bus, causing it to collide with Unit 4, the SUV positioned ahead of it. The impact from the charter bus then propelled it into Unit 5, the leading tractor-trailer.

Authorities from the Ohio State Highway Patrol clarified that the term “overriding” indicates that the tractor-trailer had completely run over the SUV, resulting in it being physically on top of the smaller vehicle.

The preliminary report also highlighted that the tractor-trailer positioned at the back of the line was deemed to be “following too closely,” which played a significant role in triggering the chain-reaction collision.

No other vehicle involved in the accident was assigned any specific contributing factor.

.