LICKING COUNTY, Ohio — The driver of the semitrailer involved in a deadly bus crash on Interstate 70 in Licking County last November is now facing several charges, 10TV's Lacey Crisp first learned and later confirmed in court documents.
Jacob McDonald, 61, was indicted on Wednesday by a Licking County grand jury on 26 charges. The charges include six counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, nine counts of vehicular assault and 11 counts of assault.
An arrest warrant was issued Wednesday and he was taken into custody by the Ohio State Highway Patrol on Thursday.
The charges stem from the deadly crash on Nov. 14, 2023. Five vehicles were involved in a fiery crash, including a Pioneer Trails charter bus transporting students and chaperones from the Tuscarawas Valley Local School District to a conference in Columbus. There were a total of 57 people onboard.
The sequence of events was as follows:
- Passenger vehicles, bus and Volvo slowed for traffic; Freightliner semi strikes the Nissan Murano in the back
- Nissan hits the back of the bus; overridden by the Freightliner
- Freightliner hits the back of the bus
- Bus hits back of the Toyota Highlander; Toyota hits Volvo
- Toyota travels into left lane, causes bus to hit Volvo
Six people died as a result of the crash and 18 were injured.
The victims were identified as 18-year-old John Mosley, 18-year-old Jeffery Worrell, 15-year-old Katelyn Owens, 56-year-old Dave Kennat, 39-year-old Kristy Gaynor and 45-year-old Shannon Wigfield. All three teens killed in the crash were on the bus, while the three adults were inside of a passenger vehicle.
The speed limit in the area is posted as 70 mph. OSHP only provided a speed for the Volvo semi, which was going an estimated 10 mph, according to the truck's dash camera footage.
The report states that McDonald, who was the driver of the Freightliner, was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the crash.
McDonald appeared in court on Friday and was given a $1 million bond.
In April, several families who lost loved ones in the crash filed separate wrongful death lawsuits. The families claim the crash was "entirely preventable."
Geroge Worrell III and his wife Deanna lost their son Jeffrey in the crash. He spoke with Lacey Crips following McDonald's indictment.
"My wife Deanna and I miss our son more than words can express. We want to thank the many people in our community who have helped us in the months since the accident. We will continue to be the voice of our son in the coming weeks, months, and years. This is the hardest of life's lessons, and we hope people remain aware of their surroundings, slow down, and drive defensively at all times," George said.