Community plans event to honor 6 victims

MINERAL CITY, Ohio – A year ago, a fiery bus crash on a highway east of Columbus devastated a local school district and a community.

Six people were killed. These victims will be honored this Sunday at a special event at Tuscarawas Valley High School Stadium.

On the morning of November 14, 2023, the bus carrying Tusky Valley High School band members was involved in a chain reaction accident on I-70 in Licking County.

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Investigators said a semi-truck driven by Jacob McDonald of Zanesville crashed into an SUV and then the bus.

All three people in the SUV were killed: high school teacher Dave Kennat, 56, of Navarre, parent chaperone Kristy Gaynor, 39, of Zoar, and parent chaperone Shannon Wigfield, 45, of Bolivar.

Three students on the bus also died: John Mosley, 18, of Mineral City, JD Worrell, 18, of Bolivar, and Katelyn Owens, 15, of Mineral City.

McDonald was indicted on 26 criminal charges, including six counts of aggravated vehicular homicide. His trial is scheduled to begin Dec. 2 in Licking County.

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On Sunday, November 17, the victims will be honored at The Stand with the Band Memorial Walk, which runs from noon to 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

The six-hour event is intended to represent the six victims.

Community members walk around the track carrying an American flag and a Tuscarawas Valley flag.

Since the tragedy, the Trojan Foundation has received more than $1 million in donations; money used to help the victims’ families with expenses.

In addition, the foundation is also in the process of establishing six scholarships in honor of the lives lost.

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