A truck driver’s inattention led to a fatal crash involving two passenger vehicles, a chartered motorcoach carrying school children, and another truck, on Interstate 70 near Etna, Ohio, according to an NTSB report.

At 8:47 a.m. on November 14, 2023, a truck operated by Mid-State Systems Inc. was traveling west on I-70 when it failed to slow for a line of traffic caused by an earlier minor crash. The car collided with the rear of the queue, triggering a chain-reaction collision and fire that spread to the other vehicles. 

Three students on the motorcoach and three people in a passenger vehicle were killed. More than 40 other people were injured.

Results of NTSB’s Investigation

The NTSB determined that, in addition to the driver’s inattention and his failure to respond to the traffic queue, several other issues contributed to the crash. These issues included ineffective traffic management and a lack of information on traffic conditions for travelers. 

Additionally, the truck lacked an in-vehicle driver monitoring system that could have alerted the truck driver to return his attention to the road. The speed difference between the truck and the slowed traffic, along with the post-crash fire, also increased the severity of the injuries.

“We’ve seen this crash scenario far too often — and it’s preventable,” said NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy. “Proven technologies can warn drivers of slowed traffic and prevent collisions before they happen. What’s needed are stronger vehicle safety standards, better traffic incident management, and swift action on our recommendations. Lives depend on it.”

New Safety Recs

The NTSB issued eight new safety recommendations and reiterated two previous recommendations. These recommendations include stronger federal guidance to states on managing traffic queues after incidents and on communications between responding agencies, performance standards for collision avoidance technology in commercial vehicles, requirements for driver monitoring systems in commercial vehicles, and more rigorous interior fire safety standards for motorcoaches.

NTSB also recommended that the Tuscarawas Valley School District update its process for chartering motorcoach and other large bus transportation to prioritize operators that provide and require the use of lap/shoulder belts for all seating positions. 

Additionally, the Ohio Department of Transportation was encouraged to develop a statewide strategy for implementing variable speed limits.

The full report​ is available here. ​