What to Know
- Authorities said the children were at the bus stop and the stop-arm on the bus was out when a pickup truck hit them.
- An 11-year-old boy was also injured in the crash and airlifted to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne.
- A 24-year-old woman has been charged in the deaths of the three children.
A somber service was held Thursday to remember three children killed as they waited for their school bus in Indiana.
Speakers recalled the special bond big sister Olivia shared with her twin brothers Xavier and Mason. Many emotions were on display for so many people at the Fulton County church where the service was held. The message was one of unity and choosing grace.
Inside Grace United Methodist Church in Rochester, the mayor explained how the mother of the children believes Olivia chose to go to heaven with her twin brothers when it was clear they wouldn’t survive the crash.
The truck driver, 24-year-old Alyssa Shepherd, has been charged with three felony counts of reckless homicide and failure to stop for a school bus. She was the children's director at Faith Outreach Church where they too are asking for prayers.
The school district has now changed the pickup location for the school bus to a location inside the trailer park where the kids lived.
The change went into effect this week, but too late for the sweet siblings and months after their mother had repeatedly asked for a safer pick up.
The community plans another vigil Friday night for the kids outside on a field where they used to play.
