UPDATE: Three Children Struck, Killed at Bus Stop in Fulton County
Three children were hit and killed by a vehicle while waiting at a bus stop in Fulton County, Indiana. A fourth child was struck and injured.
Police say all three children - two girls and a boy - were of elementary school age. They have been identified as two twin boys - Xzavier Ingle, 6; Mason Ingle, 6; and their older sister - Alivia Stahl, 9. An 11-year-old boy, Maverik Lowe, suffered multiple broken bones. Lowe was not related to the other siblings but lived in their same neighborhood. The children went to Mentone Elementary School.
ISP says the incident happened at approximately 7:15 at a bus stop in the 4800 block of South State Road 25 near Rochester.
Fulton County is about 4.5 hours North of Evansville.
Police have confirmed the children were boarding the bus, and the stop-arm was out when 24-year-old Alyssa Shepherd struck them with her 2017 Toyota Tacoma truck.
Police said Shepherd submitted to a blood test to determine if drugs or alcohol were involved. She was interviewed by investigators, but officers declined to disclose what she said about the crash.
Shepherd was arrested Tuesday afternoon and charged with three counts of reckless homicide, and one misdemeanor count of disregarding a stop sign and causing injury.
Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation released the below statement following the crash:
"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."
Let this be an extremely important reminder to use caution when traveling at ALL TIMES - but especially during the morning and afternoon hours as children head to and from school.
Evansville Police have also warned drivers to use caution over the next few days as trick-or-treaters will be out and about.