COLUMBUS, Ohio — An Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper received recognition Thursday afternoon for his heroic actions following the tragic Interstate 70 bus crash in Licking County last year.
Shawn Grim was one of the first officers to respond to the crash, and he had no idea what he was walking into.
"We train for the worst but this is something I would never have thought to roll up on in my time," he said.
On Nov. 14, 2023, six people were killed and 18 others were injured after a charter bus carrying students from a high school was rear-ended by a semi-truck. Several other vehicles in the area were hit as well.
Body camera footage from the day of the crash shows Grim's immediate response to help those involved. At first, he just saw a cloud of smoke and didn't know what it was. But as he got closer, he started putting the pieces together.
"I see a truck. I see the bus and it's on fire. I immediately grab a fire extinguisher and grab my gloves," he said.
Grim said he first ran toward a commercial truck, but didn't see anyone inside. Then, he found man trapped inside his car.
"As I got closer I could see someone laying in there, and he's telling me that he's trapped. I'm feeling a lot of heat, and I'm trying to get him out and the doors were just jammed," Grim said.
With the help of other drivers who were stopped due to the crash, Grim was able to pry the car door open, pulling Robert Wolverton to safety.
Robert turned out to be the father of Licking County Sheriff's Deputy Jeremy Wolverton, who also responded to the crash.
"This is what we sign up to do, what you want to do, but to see someone do it so selflessly, without even thinking. I mean I watched the bodycam footage, it was phenomenal," said Jeremy.
After he pulled Robert out, Grim entered the charter bus that was engulfed in flames to rescue any potentially trapped occupants. He braved his way to the back of the bus and attempted to extinguish the flames while calling out for any additional passengers.
Grim's family and fellow officers watched Thursday as his selfless actions earned him the Superintendent's Citation of Merit.
But he said he's not the only one who deserves the credit.
"My heart goes out to everyone involved. I want to thank the people that did stop, the citizens. You did help a lot," Grim said.