ROCHESTER, IN — An Indiana woman pleaded not guilty at a hearing Thursday to three counts of reckless homicide after allegedly running into three kids who were boarding a school bus. Alyssa Shepherd, 24, also faces a misdemeanor charge of causing bodily injury when passing a school bus as the stop arm is extended, reports say.
The crash resulted in the deaths 6-year-old Xzavier Ingle, his twin brother, Mason Ingle and their sister, 9-year-old Alivia Stahl. ISP said all three siblings died at the scene from injuries sustained in the crash, which happened at around 7:15 a.m. Oct. 30.
Maverik Lowe, 11, was hit, but not fatally. He was flown by Samaritan Helicopter to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, ISP said, adding that the boy is undergoing surgery with multiple broken bones and internal injuries. A GoFundMe set up for Maverik has so far raised nearly $65,000 towards its $100,000 goal.
Shepherd claims she didn’t realize the vehicle she was passing was a school bus until the kids were right in front of her despite her having seen the stop arm and flashing lights, according to a WGN9 report.
Michael Stahl, Alivia’s father, said at the Thursday hearing he wanted people threatening Shepherd’s family to stop, the WGN9 report said. The threats aren’t helping the situation, he said, and told WSBT-TV, “It doesn’t do my daughter justice or the other people who are affected by this.”
Following the crash, Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation released the following statement:
“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.
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.”
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Photo credit: Indiana State Police