Three children have been killed after a pickup truck plowed into them as they were about to board their school bus in northern Indiana. The most tragic part is that all three of the fatalities were from the same family.
Asia Bibi Blasphemy Death Sentence Overturned by Pakistan Supreme Court
State police said four children were preparing to board a Tippecanoe Valley School Corp. bus about 7 a.m. Tuesday when they were struck by the pickup Rochester, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of Indianapolis. According to an Indiana State Police report, Sgt. Tony Slocum said that three siblings were confirmed dead at the scene, with a fourth being airlifted to a Fort Wayne hospital.
The deceased have been named as identical twin 6-year-old brothers, Xzavier and Mason Ingle, and their 9-year-old sister Alivia Stahl. The fourth injured victim was an 11-year-old boy, Maverik Lowe, who suffered multiple broken bones. All of the children were enrolled at Mentone Elementary school in nearby Mentone, Indiana.
https://www.facebook.com/WYFF4/videos/250846818938121/
Police immediately detained the female driver of the offending vehicle, 24-year-old Alyssa Shepherd. On Tuesday afternoon, she was charged with three counts of reckless homicide, and one misdemeanor count of disregarding a stop sign and causing injury.
Shepherd “was arrested at her place of employment, in Rochester, IN, when officers served her with a Fulton Superior Court arrest warrant,” according to an Indiana State Police bulletin.
Initial investigations have determined that the yellow school bus was stationary in the northbound lane of State Road 25 with its emergency lights flashing and its stop-sign arm clearly displayed.
However, despite this arrest, police are not making any presumptions as to the cause of the accident until a thorough investigation has been conducted. “We don’t know why this crash happened as we speak here right now,” Solcum noted.
Shepherd was transferred to Fulton County Jail and released Tuesday night on a $15,000 bond.
“Our hearts just break for the families involved here in this tragic situation, and our prayers obviously go out to them,” Slocum said, as reported by ABC News. “It was a tough day to watch the emotions that these family members had to go through and a tough day for first responders. It’s been a while since I’ve seen first responders cry, but I saw some tears shed today because that’s what the situation dictated.”
The Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation issued a statement on Facebook following the horrific accident.
“Our school corporation has suffered a tragedy this morning. We have learned of three student fatalities and one student seriously injured and airlifted to a Fort Wayne hospital as they were hit by a vehicle while boarding their bus. We have deployed all school counselors to meet the emotional needs of our staff, students and parents,” the school stated on Facebook. “We are awaiting to learn more confirmed details but wish to ask the community to come together to pray for the families, our students and our staff.”
Just two days ago, Indiana State Police Public Information Officer Sgt. Todd Ringle tweeted out an advisory for motorists to “watch out for those school buses” and to ensure they “slow down in the school zones” as another Monday rolled arond and kids were headed to class.
It’s Monday and another start to a week of school. Please watch for those school buses and slow down in the school zones. The kiddos are depending on you! pic.twitter.com/mddEswaB9A
— Sgt. Todd Ringle (@ISPEvansville) October 29, 2018
The NTSB has launched an investigation into the incident.
Do pray for the family and friends of these children, who are certain to be absolutely devastated at this time.