Truck driver charged with homicide and assault for I-70 bus crash that killed six
A truck driver has been arrested and charged in connection with a multiple-fatality crash that occurred in Ohio late last year.
Truck driver Jacob McDonald, 61, was arrested last week and charged with 6 counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, 9 counts of vehicular assault and 11 counts of assault, 10TV reports.
The charges were issued in connection with a crash that occurred on November 14, 2023, on I-70 near state Route 310 in Etna Township, Ohio.
Officials say that passenger vehicles, a Volvo, and a charter bus were slowed in the westbound lanes of I-70 for traffic when a Freightliner driven by McDonald struck a Nissan Murano, forcing the car into the back of the charter bus. The Freightliner then struck the back of the charter bus. This crash forced the charter bus to strike a Toyota Highlander. The Highlander then hit a Volvo truck. The Highlander was forced into the left lane and the Freightliner struck the Volvo.
HAPPENING NOW: Large crash, fire closes I-70 in Licking County. Read more, here — https://t.co/HPokPmxFVV pic.twitter.com/GbrI3ZCJty
— fox8news (@fox8news) November 14, 2023
Several vehicles caught fire following the crash.
The following six people on the charter bus, including three high school students, died as a result of the crash:
- John W. Mosley, 18, of Mineral City
- Jeffery D. Worrell, 18, of Bolivar
- Katelyn N. Owens, 15, of Mineral City
- Dave Kennat, 56, of Navarre
- Kristy Gaynor, 39, of Zoar
- Shannon Wigfield, 45, of Boliva
Eighteen other people suffered injuries.
Dash cam video from the scene reportedly showed the Freightliner following closely in traffic and failing to slow.
An Ohio Department of Public Safety Crash report released in late November 2023 stated that a truck driver was “following too closely” and failed to slow for traffic.
Impairment was not a factor in the crash.