Trial Begins for Driver Charged in I-70 Bus Crash That Killed Six

Jacob McDonald, a semi-truck driver, is set to stand trial for 26 criminal counts including aggravated vehicular homicide and vehicular assault, following a November 2023 crash on Interstate 70 that killed six people—including three high school students—and injured over a dozen more. The crash occurred when McDonald, traveling at approximately 70 miles per hour, failed to slow down for traffic and collided with an SUV and a charter bus carrying students and chaperones from Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools en route to a band conference. A teacher and two chaperones were also among the deceased. Authorities reported that McDonald had no alcohol or drugs in his system at the time of the crash. The trial, overseen by Judge David Branstool in Licking County, will be a bench trial, with multiple civil lawsuits also pending against McDonald and related companies alleging negligence. The proceedings are expected to last several days.