A grave crash on Interstate 70, near state Route 310 in Etna Township, Licking County, is currently under the scrutiny of the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Granville Post. This catastrophic incident involved a charter bus, two passenger vehicles, and two commercial vehicles.
The collision included a commercial vehicle from G.A. Wintzer & Sons, with Brandon Marchal, 37, from Wapakoneta, at the wheel, and a passenger vehicle driven by Robert Wolverton, 75, from Heath. Additionally, a Pioneer Trails bus from Millersburg, operated by Donald Wagler, 65, from Hartville, and a Mid-State Systems commercial vehicle from Hebron, driven by Jacob McDonald, 60, from Zanesville, were part of the accident.
The crash tragically resulted in several fatalities. On the charter bus, carrying 54 students and chaperones from Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools, three students – John W. Mosley, 18, Jeffery D. Worrell, 18, and Katelyn N. Owens, 15 – were declared deceased at the scene. Fifteen other students and the bus driver were taken to hospitals. In one passenger vehicle, Dave Kennat, 56, Kristy Gaynor, 39, and Shannon Wigfield, 45, were also pronounced dead at the site.
The drivers of both the commercial vehicles were injured, with one being hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and the other treated at the scene. The driver of the second passenger vehicle also received hospital treatment.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is appealing to the public for witnesses of the crash and asks those with information to come forward by calling (614) 466-2660.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol acknowledged the support and assistance provided by various agencies, including the Licking County Sheriff’s Office, Tuscarawas County deputies, West Licking Fire Department and EMS, Licking County Coroner’s Office, Jae’s Towing, the Ohio Department of Transportation, and others.