New information released regarding bus crash that left six dead in Ohio

OHIO — New information has emerged about the chain-reaction crash on I-70 in Licking County last year that claimed six lives, including three Tusky Valley High School students.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), in conjunction with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), released an extensive report detailing the events surrounding the crash.

According to the findings, Jacob McDonald, the driver of the semi-truck responsible for the collision, told investigators he could not recall anything beyond Exit 126.

The crash occurred near mile marker 118, close to Etna, on November 14, 2023.

In an interview with OSHP troopers at the hospital shortly after the crash, McDonald was asked about his memory of the events.

“I don’t — I don’t really remember. I guess you could say — I don’t remember after 126,” McDonald said. “Weird. I mean, I don’t know where it happened.”

McDonald told investigators his only memory following the collision was “fire and damage coming over from my right side.”

He also stated he did not recall seeing an SUV between his truck and the charter bus before the impact.

According to prosecutors, McDonald failed to slow down for stopped traffic, driving over the SUV and slamming into the back of the charter bus, triggering the deadly crash.

McDonald described traffic leading up to the crash as “quiet, not heavy.”

The report noted that a medical evaluation found no impairing substances in his system, though McDonald was taking a common medication at the time.

An NTSB medical specialist stated that none of the medications he reported using are generally considered impairing. He was diagnosed with a mild concussion following the accident and discharged from the hospital.

McDonald is facing six counts of aggravated vehicular homicide. He is being held on a $1 million bond and is scheduled to appear in court in December.