Mother of Tusky Valley Bus Crash Survivor Reflects on Verdict
Licking County, OH — Danielle Goedel, mother of bus crash victim Brynn Goedel, reacted to the verdict against truck driver Jacob McDonald, who was found guilty on lesser charges related to the May 16 incident. Brynn had testified at the trial.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued 10 safety recommendations following a fatal 2023 bus crash in Ohio, which killed six people and injured 18 others. The board's recommendations include improved federal guidance for managing traffic queues after accidents and urging the adoption of in-cab technology to alert inattentive commercial drivers.
On November 14, 2023, McDonald, driving a tractor-trailer on Interstate 70, collided with an SUV and a charter bus carrying 54 students from Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools. The crash resulted in the deaths of three students and three adults in the SUV.
The NTSB's report emphasized enhanced federal guidance and communication among agencies responding to crashes. Among its recommendations are the installation of systems in heavy commercial vehicles to detect driver inattention and the requirement of seat belts on charter buses within the Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools transportation options.
Additionally, the report reaffirmed earlier safety recommendations to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding collision avoidance systems and interior vehicle safety standards.
Advocate reporter Josué Perez can be reached at jhperez@newarkadvocate.com.