Deadly Collision on Interstate 70: Charter Bus Engulfed in Flames After Being Rear-Ended by Semi-Truck, Three Dead and Multiple Injured
A high school charter bus in Ohio was rear-ended by a semi-truck, causing a fiery scene, resulting in three fatalities and 15 others injured. The investigation is ongoing.
In a devastating collision on Interstate 70 West in Licking County, Ohio, a charter bus carrying students from a high school was rear-ended by a semi-truck, resulting in three fatalities and 15 others injured. The accident occurred just before 9 a.m. near the Smoke Road underpass. The impact of the collision led to a fiery scene, with photographs showing the rear of the bus engulfed in flames. Emergency responders, including paramedics, firefighters, and police from Licking County and eastern Franklin County, rushed to the scene.
Five injured individuals were promptly transported to various hospitals, including Grant Medical Center, Mount Carmel East, and Nationwide Children's Hospital. The severity of their injuries remains unknown at this time. A witness described a poignant moment, recounting, "My 10-year-old granddaughter is very upset. They said they saw a firefighter go into the burning bus just before it exploded." The incident has been designated as a mass casualty incident, level 3, indicating the potential involvement of 10 or more individuals with varying degrees of injuries.
The Ohio Department of Transportation reported the closure of Interstate 70 at around 9 a.m., and traffic cameras captured smoke billowing from the crash site. The highway is expected to remain closed for several hours as authorities assess the situation and work to clear the wreckage. The bus involved is believed to be from Pioneer Trails, a family-owned bus business based in Millersburg, Holmes County.
When questioned, an employee from the company refused to confirm the bus's involvement in the crash. Mickey Lymon, an investigator with the Licking County Coroner's Office, confirmed their presence at the scene but deferred further inquiries to the state police. As the investigation continues, the Ohio State Highway Patrol is expected to provide updates on the incident and its aftermath. The community remains in shock as the tragic toll of three lives lost and numerous injuries becomes clearer in the aftermath of this devastating highway collision.