ZOARVILLE, Ohio — As a fiery bus crash on a highway east of Columbus killed six Tusky Valley members and devastated the local school district a year ago, the community is working to ensure the missing will never be forgotten.

On the morning of November 14, 2023, a charter bus carrying members of the Tusky Valley High School band was involved in a chain-reaction accident on I-70 in Licking County.

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In addition to the charter bus, four other vehicles were involved in the accident caused by a semi-trailer that was following too closely and was unable to slow down in time.

Investigators said the tractor-trailer driven by Jacob McDonald of Zainesville first struck an SUV before hitting the bus.

Killed were all three people in the SUV: high school teacher Dave Kennat, 56, of Navarre, parent chaperone Kristy Gaynor, 39, of Zoar, and parent chaperone Shannon Wigfield, 45, of Bolivar.

The three students on the bus also died: John Mosley, 18, of Mineral City, JD Worrell, 18, of Bolivar, and Katelyn Owens, 15, of Mineral City.

McDonald was charged with 26 counts, including six counts of aggravated vehicular homicide. His trial is scheduled to begin in Licking County on December 2.

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On Sunday, the victims were honored at The Stand with the Band memorial march, which took place from noon to 6 p.m.

Each hour of the event represented one of the victims.

“I did five laps, which was a little too much for me, but it was still good,” Brynn Goedel said.

Goedel was sitting in the back of the charter bus when the accident happened.

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She suffered a concussion, burns to her face and arms, and multiple fractures to her ribs and pelvis.

“It’s really kind of crazy. It was also quite comforting to see everyone walking. I was in a wheelchair for a while and then a walker, so it’s kind of crazy to start walking again and everything, but I’m doing it for my friends who have passed away,” Goedel added.

Goedel previously told News 5 that one of the victims, Katelyn Owens, was her best friend and had been since kindergarten.

Hundreds of people showed up to Sunday’s event, including Lisa Owen, who said she has been teaching at Tusky Valley for 30 years.

“We had a tragedy a year ago and we lost six people we loved,” Owen said. “It’s really about love. We love each other and we are all connected, whether through school, family or friends. We are all in this together.

She described the high turnout at the event as a “beautiful thing”.

Owen attended the event with his four-legged friend, Hank Aaron. He’s a golden labradoodle.

Hank Aaron is a service animal that Owen said she often brings to Tusky Valley Elementary School. His sister goes to school every day, Owen added.

Owen said a generous donation from Smuckers to the service dog program made the adoption of two service animals possible.

“(Hank Aaron) offers a little joy. He’s such a natural lover,” Owen said.

Besides a hug from the gentle giant Owen calls Hank Aaron, the event also featured a blood drive.

Since the tragedy, the Trojan Foundation has received more than $1 million in donations – money that has been used to help victims’ families cover expenses.

Additionally, the foundation is also in the process of creating six scholarships in honor of the lives lost.