A devastating chain-reaction crash on Interstate 70 in Licking County, Ohio, that left six people dead and 41 others injured was caused by a truck driver’s failure to slow down and pay attention to traffic conditions, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed in its final report released Wednesday.
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How the Crash Happened
On November 14, 2023, a Mid State Systems tractor-trailer traveling westbound at 72 miles per hour failed to respond to a traffic backup caused by an earlier crash. According to the NTSB, the truck plowed into a line of slowing vehicles, triggering a fiery chain reaction.
- The truck first struck an SUV, driving over it.
- It then crashed into the back of a motorcoach carrying high school students.
- The impact pushed the bus into another SUV, spinning it sideways before it collided with another truck.
- A fire ignited almost immediately, engulfing the back three vehicles.
Victims of the Crash
The motorcoach was transporting students from the Tuscarawas Valley Local School District to a band performance. Tragically, three students on the bus were killed, along with three parent chaperones and a teacher traveling in one of the SUVs.
The truck driver sustained only minor injuries.
NTSB Findings
The NTSB could not determine why the truck driver failed to react to the slowing traffic. However, the board identified several contributing factors:
- No coordinated strategy to monitor or communicate the traffic slowdown.
- Lack of an in-vehicle monitoring system that could have alerted the truck driver.
- The extreme speed difference between the truck and the slowed traffic.
- Lack of seat belts on the motorcoach, which could have reduced fatalities.
Safety Recommendations
In response to the crash, the NTSB issued eight new safety recommendations and reiterated two older ones. Key measures include:
- Stronger federal guidance for managing and communicating traffic queues.
- Performance standards for collision avoidance technology in commercial vehicles.
- Mandatory driver monitoring systems in commercial trucks.
- More rigorous interior fire safety standards for motorcoaches.
- Statewide implementation of variable speed limits in Ohio to reduce crash risks during congestion.
- School districts prioritizing bus operators that provide and require seat belts.
Conclusion
The Ohio I-70 tragedy highlights the deadly consequences of driver inattention and insufficient safety measures in both commercial trucks and motorcoaches. As the community continues to grieve, federal and state officials are under renewed pressure to improve roadway safety and prevent future tragedies.