Truck Driver’s Speed of 72 MPH Caused Fatal Crash that Claimed 6 Lives: NTSB Findings
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) shared a recent report revealing that a truck driver’s “inattention” led to a tragic multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 70 in Ohio, resulting in the loss of six lives nearly two years ago. The collision occurred on November 14, 2023, near state Route 310 in Etna Township around 9 a.m. local time. The crash involved five vehicles, including a school children-carrying charter bus, two commercial vehicles, and two passenger vehicles, with at least three of the vehicles catching fire during the incident, as per a news release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
During a press conference on November 15, 2023, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy revealed that one of the passenger cars was trapped between the bus and a commercial vehicle, which rammed into it. The victims of the crash were identified as John Mosley (18), Jeffery Worrell (18), Katelyn Owens (15), Dave Kennat (56), Kristy Gaynor (39), and Shannon Wigfield (46), according to WOSU Public Media. The tragic event highlighted the devastating consequences of the driver’s actions.
The 92-page NTSB report detailed that the primary cause of the crash was attributed to the truck driver’s failure to react appropriately to the slow-moving traffic ahead, particularly a motorcoach, due to an earlier minor crash. The report stated, “Contributing to the crash was the lack of adequate strategies to monitor the development of the traffic queue on I-70 after a minor incident, and to inform travelers of the traffic conditions ahead.”
According to the findings, the truck driver was travelling at a speed of around 72 mph just prior to the collision, while the other vehicles in the line were moving significantly slower, ranging from 3 to 15 mph. The truck driver’s failure to decelerate led to a chain-reaction collision involving all five vehicles, resulting in a devastating loss of life and injuries to several passengers.
NTSB officials noted that the speed difference between the truck and the slow-moving traffic, combined with the post-crash fire, significantly intensified the impact of the collision. The absence of an in-vehicle monitoring system to redirect the driver’s attention to the road ahead was also highlighted as a contributing factor to the severity of the accident.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy emphasised the preventability of such incidents through the implementation of proven technologies that can alert drivers to potential hazards and avert collisions. Calling for improved vehicle safety standards, enhanced traffic incident management, and prompt action on safety recommendations, Homendy underscored the critical importance of addressing such issues to safeguard lives on the road.
In addition to the tragic loss of life, four individuals sustained serious injuries, while 37 others suffered minor injuries in the aftermath of the crash. The driver of the truck, Jacob McDonald, faced legal consequences for his role in the incident, being found guilty of six counts of misdemeanor vehicular homicide earlier this year. McDonald was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with his expected release date listed as January 17, 2026, according to Licking County, Ohio, inmate records.
The harrowing crash serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating impact of driver negligence and the critical need for enhanced safety measures on the roads. The NTSB’s findings underscore the importance of vigilance, adherence to traffic regulations, and the adoption of advanced technologies to prevent similar tragedies in the future.