In a tragic incident on Tuesday morning, a collision involving five vehicles on an Ohio highway left three people dead and 15 others injured. The cause of the crash remains unknown, according to officials.

The incident occurred when a Pioneer Trails charter bus, carrying students from the Tuscarawas Valley local school district, was rear-ended by a semi-truck. The bus was transporting a total of 57 people, including students and chaperones, who were on their way to the Ohio School Boards Association conference in Columbus.

Derek Varansky, the superintendent of the Tuscarawas Valley School District, shared the devastating news through a letter addressed to the school community on social media. He expressed his deep sorrow over the accident and informed the community that law enforcement had reported multiple serious injuries. The injured victims were immediately taken to five different hospitals for treatment.

The crash occurred shortly before 9 a.m. on Interstate 70 West in Licking County, near the Smoke Road underpass. The accident site was characterized by smoke billowing from the wreckage, as captured by Ohio Department of Transportation cameras in the area. As a result of the crash, the highway was closed in both directions, causing significant traffic delays.

The Licking County Coroner's Office dispatched investigators to the scene, and Mickey Lymon, an investigator, confirmed their presence. However, further inquiries regarding the incident were referred to the state police.

Congressman Troy Balderson of Ohio expressed his devastation over the accident in a post on social media, offering his prayers and assuring the community that he would closely monitor the situation.

The collision between the semitrailer and the bus resulted in at least three fatalities and 15 injuries, as reported by authorities. The semitrailer rear-ended the charter bus on Interstate 70 West, and the injured victims were promptly transported to nearby hospitals for medical attention. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

This is an ongoing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.