Report into Fatal Ohio Bus Crash Involving Students Reveals Potential Cause [Updated Dec. 12]

A recently released report from the Ohio Department of Public Safety reveals a semi-truck was following too close to the vehicles in front of it, ultimately leading to the chain-reaction crash that killed six people and injured 18 others on Nov. 14.

The report comes as the National Transportation Safety Board continues its investigation into the highway crash in Licking, Ohio. A charter bus carrying a high school marching band was among the vehicles involved.

An NTSB team arrived in Ohio on Nov. 15 and spent several days there, collecting information for the investigation.

The Crash: What We Know

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), the crash happened just before 9 a.m. on Nov. 14 on Interstate 70 near State Route 310. Involved in the crash were the charter bus carrying a driver and 54 students and chaperones from Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools, two passenger vehicles, and two commercial vehicles — one of which was identified in the report sent to School Bus Fleet as a semi-truck.

The students and chaperones were on their way to perform at the Ohio School Boards Association conference in Columbus. WBNS reported that the conference was canceled when organizers learned of the crash.

The report shed light into the events leading up to the crash. According to the report, all five vehicles were traveling in the right lane. All of the vehicles except for the semi-truck slowed for traffic. The semi-truck reportedly struck an SUV carrying a staff member and two parents, forcing the SUV into the rear of the charter bus. The semi-truck then struck the bus after overriding the SUV. The charter bus was then forced into the rear of another SUV, which hit the back of a cargo van, spinning the second SUV into the left lane. The semi-truck came to a stop after striking the cargo van.

Three of the bus passengers were pronounced deceased on the scene. Additionally, all three people in the first SUV died.

None of the drivers involved were found to be distracted or under the influence, according to the report.

The names of those killed include:

• John W. Mosely, age 18.
• Katelyn N. Owens, age 15.
• Jeffery D. Worrell, age 18.
• Kristy Gaynor, age 39
• Dave Kennat, age 56.
• Shannon Wigfield, age 45.

Fifteen students and the bus driver were transported to area hospitals. The remaining students were taken to a reunification site.

Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools Superintendent Dr. Derek Varansky read a statement to parents and students at a vigil held on Nov. 14, saying in part, "There are no words for the magnitude of loss and grief felt by all of us," calling the students who died "bright lights" and "full of life," according to WKYC.

Varansky explained the district's decision to resume classes on Nov. 15, saying, "we do not want children home alone, yet we respect students and parents who wish for their child to remain at home." The district made counselors and support staff from community organizations and neighboring districts available to those who needed them.

Additionally, the district shared common signs and signals of a stress reaction for parents to look for in their children following the crash.

Sally Green, Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) president-elect and Tuscarawas Valley local school board member, shared a statement with OSBA, saying in part, "During this time of loss, it's important to capture every moment with have with students. Relationships have the greatest impact both in grief and restoration."

Of the two commercial vehicles involved, one driver was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The other was treated and released at the scene. The driver of the second passenger vehicle was also transported to an area hospital.

Investigating the Crash

The OSHP statement said the cause of the crash was under investigation and witnesses were urged to come forward.

In a Nov. 15 news conference, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said there was conflicting information about the sequence of events that led to the crash. The report by the Ohio Department of Public Safety will be used in the NTSB's investigation.

The NTSB team will also look through camera footage gathered by OSHP after the crash, as well as footage from vehicles that were not involved that may have captured the crash.

In the news conference, Homendy mentioned that there was an unrelated crash about an hour prior to this one, west of where this crash occurred. OSHP told School Bus Fleet that crash was a four-vehicle crash to the left of the roadway, off the road. Law enforcement were still on the scene of that crash when this one occurred. It's unclear if the two are related.

The only seat belt on the motor coach, according to Homendy, was in the driver's seat.

The NTSB investigation could take up to 18 months. At any time during the investigation, the NTSB could release urgent safety recommendations related to the crash.

"Our focus is on safety. Our whole mission is based on determining how this happened, why this happened, and to prevent it from reoccurring," Homendy said.