Trucking company involved in Ohio bus crash that killed 6 previous cited for safety issues
The trucking company at the center of a fatal multivehicle crash that left six dead — including three students from Tuscarawas Valley High School and three adults — received previous citations for several issues with its trucks, including defective brakes,according to documents obtained by The Columbus Dispatch.
Documents — first obtained by ABC News — show the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio raised several concerns about Hebron-based Mid State Systems’ trucks, including those like the one driven by Jacob McDonald, of Zanesville, during the fatal Nov. 14 crash. The commission cited the company multiple times for having brakes in poor repair in the past five years. Records before 2018 were not available because PUCO retains records for five years.
The Interstate 70 crash in Licking County began when the semi driven by McDonald rear-ended a car slowing for traffic. The impact smashed the semi, and a car collided with the charter bus carrying the students. The impact also pushed the bus into another car and another truck from the G.A. Wintzer & Son Co.
PUCO cited Mid State Systems in 2020 with several violations while McDonald was driving a truck, according to the documents, including “brake connections with leaks or restrictions and brake system pressure loss, leading to a $150 fine.” The commission fined the company again in 2021 for similar violations after an inspection of a truck McDonald was driving.
PUCO also reached a settlement agreement for $805 with Mid State Systems less than three weeks before the fatal crash after an inspection uncovered issues with brake hoses on another truck.
In the past five years, PUCO has also cited the company for failing to properly background check drivers, maintain required safety materials within reach while driving hazardous materials and display proper placards. Other citations alleged the trucks exceeded weight limits or failed to stop at railroad crossings.
The company had four crashes reported by states to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration within the past two years. Each of those four crashes resulted in vehicles being towed but led to no injuries or fatalities, according to U.S. Department of Transportation data. The company had a satisfactory rating with the DOT as of Thursday.
Reached for comment Friday, a representative for Mid State Systems said, "We just want to say our hearts and prayers go out to all the families involved, and per our legal counsel, that's all we can say at this point."
Semitruck didn’t slow down, report says
A report and footage released earlier this week from the Ohio Department of Public Safety showed the 2019 semi followed too closely in traffic, failed to slow down and hit another vehicle before hitting the charter bus carrying the students.
The bus, a Nissan Murano, a Toyota Highlander and a Volvo truck were westbound on I-70 and slowing down for traffic when the semi hit the Murano and forced it into the back of the bus, the report stated. The semi, owned by Hebron-based trucking company Mid State Systems, pushed it into the road, and it hit the back of the bus.
The impact forced the bus into the Highlander, the report said. The SUV hit the Volvo before the Highlander spun into the left lane. The bus then struck the rear end of the Volvo.
The crash killed six people. Those who died included:
John W. Mosley, 18, of Mineral City, Ohio, was a high school senior and member of the marching band, choir, drama club, and track team.
Jeffery D. Worrell, 18, of Bolivar, Ohio, a high school senior who could regularly be heard reading the morning announcements. He was also a member of the marching band, choir, drama club, the speech and debate team, and the pep club.
Katelyn N. Owens, 15, of Mineral City, Ohio, was a high school sophomore who family and friends called the "sweetest person."
Dave Kennat, 56, of Navarre, Ohio, was a teacher and ski club adviser at Tuscarawas Valley High School, where he found ways to marry his dual passions for mathematics and nature. He taught there for 31 years.
Kristy Gaynor, 39, of Zoar, Ohio, volunteered her time in the close-knit communities in Tuscarawas County, including as a parent-chaperone in the fatal bus crash.
Shannon Wigfield, 45, of Bolivar, was "a bright light" for students as an English teacher at the Buckeye Career Center, colleagues said. She was a parent-chaperone on the bus ride.
Status of federal investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board also continues to investigate the crash. The federal agency assumed control of the investigation shortly after the crash and provided several updates in the days after.
Reached for comment earlier this week, a spokesperson for the NTSB said that the agency generally makes its preliminary report available within 30 days of the crash.
Dispatch reporter Max Filby contributed to this report.
bagallion@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio trucking company involved in fatal charter bus crash cited before
