How you can help the families of 3 siblings killed at bus stop
MENTONE, Ind. (WISH/AP) — A number of fundraisers have been arranged for the families of three siblings who were killed and another child who was injured when they were hit by a pickup truck at a bus stop in northern Indiana.
A Tippecanoe Valley School Corp. bus had stopped and lowered its stop arm around 7 a.m. Tuesday on State Road 25 near Rochester just before a pickup truck struck the children as they crossed the southbound lane, Indiana State Police Sgt. Tony Slocum said.
Six-year-old twin brothers Xzavier and Mason Ingle and their 9-year-old sister, Alivia Stahl, died at the scene, he said. The rural Rochester residents were students at nearby Mentone Elementary School. One other child, 11-year-old Maverik Lowe, who was seriously injured, was airlifted to a Fort Wayne hospital. State Police Sgt. Tony Slocum said Maverik was undergoing surgery at the hospital.
Slocum said 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. Shepherd was being held at the Fulton County Jail on a $15,000 surety bond.
Mourners gathered Friday for a candlelight vigil at Mentone Youth League, and a Saturday charity motorcycle ride brought around 2,000 riders, said Mentone Fire Chief Mike Yazel, whose crews responded to the initial call.
Yazel said on Sunday through the motorcycle ride and other donations, the community had raised around $33,000 for the families of the children. A barbecue dinner to benefit the families is planned for Saturday, Nov. 10, at Tippecanoe Valley High School in Akron, 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.