Benefit dinner raises funds for family of kids killed at bus stop

MENTONE, Ind. (WISH/AP) — A dinner held Saturday to benefit the families of three siblings hit and killed at a bus stop in northern Indiana drew a crowd of 1,000 people and raised more than $12,000. 

A barbecue dinner was held at Tippecanoe Valley High School in Akron, Indiana, to benefit the families of 6-year-old twin brothers Xzavier and Mason Ingle and their 9-year-old sister, Alivia Stahl, who were killed, as well as the family of 11-year-old Maverik Lowe, who was seriously injured.

A Tippecanoe Valley School Corp. bus had stopped and lowered its stop arm the morning of Oct. 30 on State Road 25 near Rochester just before a pickup truck struck the children as they crossed the southbound lane.

The pickup’s driver, Alyssa Shepherd, 24, of Rochester, was arrested and charged with three counts of reckless homicide and one misdemeanor count of passing a school bus when arm signal device is extended, causing bodily injury. 

A number of fundraisers have been arranged for the families of the children who died and the child who was injured.  

Mourners gathered for a candlelight vigil at Mentone Youth League, and a charity motorcycle ride brought around 2,000 riders, said Mentone Fire Chief Mike Yazel, whose crews responded to the initial call. Yazel said through the motorcycle ride and other donations, the community had raised around $33,000 for the families of the children on Nov. 4.

Another benefit dinner is scheduled for Nov. 17 at the Knights of Columbus hall in Winamac, Indiana. 

In addition, GoFundMe accounts have been set up for both families. To support the families of Xzavier and Mason Ingle and Alivia Stahl, click here. To support the family of Maverik Lowe, click here. 

People can also donate at Lake City Bank branches to the Mentone Fire Department Valley Strong account, where all funds will go to the families, Yazel said.