LICKING COUNTY, Ohio (WSYX) — A judge in the trial of Jacob McDonald, a 61-year-old semi-truck driver charged in connection with a devastating bus crash that claimed six lives, is expected to present his verdict Friday.
Prosecutors allege that on November 14, 2023, McDonald failed to slow his semi-truck on Interstate 70 near Etna, leading to a collision with a car and triggering a catastrophic chain reaction. A charter bus carrying members of the Tuscarawas Valley High School marching band caught fire.
Six people were killed in the crash, including three band members, two parent chaperones, and a teacher:
John (Wyatt) Mosley, 18Jeffery (J.D.) Worrell, 18Katelyn Owens, 15Shannon Wigfield, 45Kristy Gaynor, 39Dave Kennat, 56
The band was on its way to Columbus after being invited to perform at the Ohio School Board’s annual conference.
McDonald faces more than two dozen charges, including six counts of aggravated vehicular homicide. If convicted on all felony counts, he could face over 30 years in prison.
During the trial, the prosecution argued McDonald was speeding and distracted by his phone at the time of the crash. Prosecutors presented evidence from an investigation conducted by the National Transportation and Safety Board, which looked into McDonald’s driving history. It found nine prior traffic convictions dating back to 2023, including some for speeding. An inspection during one of those stops revealed that McDonald’s cell phone had been open with a video game loaded and visible.
The NTBS looked into McDonald’s cell phone use on November 14th. His phone was destroyed in the fire during the crash, but records revealed peaks in data use prior to the crash. According to the NTSB, McDonald’s phone reached data use similar to what’s used while streaming high-definition videos just about ten minutes before the crash.
The defense disputed the prosecution’s distracted driving claim and also contended that McDonald was traveling at an average speed of 70 miles per hour, consistent with traffic, and that an unavoidable sudden event led to the collision.
ABC6 was in the courtroom as students and staff, who were on the bus during the crash, provided emotional testimony.
This is a bench trial, meaning there is no jury. Licking County Judge David Branstool has been reviewing the evidence and testimony and is expected to deliver a verdict at 1 p.m. today. The outcome will be closely watched by those affected by the tragedy.
ABC6 will live stream the verdict on YouTube.
