Three children were hit and killed by a pickup truck while boarding a school bus early Tuesday morning in Fulton County.
The crash happened before 7:30 a.m. in the 4660 block of Indiana 25.
The three children who died are from the same family. They have been identified as 6-year-old twin boys Xzavier Ingle and Mason Ingle and their 9-year-old sister, Alivia Stahl.
A fourth child was injured and airlifted to a Fort Wayne hospital. He was identified as 11-year-old Maverik Lowe. He suffered multiple broken bones and injuries. Police say he was conscious at the hospital and is not related to the other children who were hit.
The driver of the truck has been identified as 24-year-old Alyssa Shepherd.
Police have confirmed the children were boarding the bus, and the stop-arm was out at the time. A truck headed the opposite direction hit the children.
At least three kids were on the bus at the time.
The area where the crash happened is in the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation.
The 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.
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.
Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb released the following statement early Tuesday afternoon:
Words cannot express the depth of sorrow Janet and I feel, which only pales in comparison to what family, friends, teachers, classmates and community are feeling right now. Today, and for many more to come, we mourn their loss. I ask Hoosiers around the state to join us by sending your deepest prayers for the strength needed to endure such a time.
Information provided by our news partners at WNDU TV in South Bend
