Truck Driver Cleared of Felonies in Fatal Bus Crash

Jacob McDonald, the truck driver in a 2023 Ohio crash that killed three high school band students and three adults, was found guilty of six misdemeanor vehicular homicide charges but cleared of all felony counts due to insufficient evidence of recklessness. The crash happened on Interstate 70 when McDonald failed to slow for traffic, causing a chain-reaction collision with a charter bus carrying Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools students and chaperones. Prosecutors alleged McDonald was speeding and distracted by his phone, but his defense countered there was no conclusive proof of phone use immediately before the crash and described his behavior as negligent, not reckless. Judge David Branstool ruled McDonald criminally responsible but said the evidence did not support felony convictions. The crash resulted in injuries to 18 others, including the bus driver who lost a leg. McDonald faces a maximum potential sentence of 18 months, with sentencing to be scheduled later.