IndianaLocalNews

Driver who prosecutors say struck, killed children at school bus stop charged with reckless homicide

(Photo supplied/Indiana State Police)

Three children were killed and another was seriously injured at a bus stop in the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation.

It happened around 7:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 30, in the 4600 block of State Road 25 near Rochester.

(Photo supplied/ABC 57)

As children crossed the road, to get on the bus, four children were allegedly hit by a southbound 2017 Toyota Tacoma, driven by Alyssa Shepherd, 24, rural Rochester, according to Sgt. Tony Slocum with Indiana State Police.

The children who died were identified as twin boys, Xzavier Ingle and Mason Ingle, 6 and their sister, Alivia Stahl, 9. They attended Mentone Elementary School.

The injured person, an 11-year-old boy, was airlifted to a hospital in Fort Wayne. At last check, he was in surgery with multiple broken bones and internal injuries, according to Indiana State Police. He attends Tippecanoe Valley Middle School.

(Photos supplied/Indiana State Police)

Shepherd was arrested at her place of employment, in Rochester, when officers served her with a Fulton Superior Court arrest warrant. The warrant alleged three felony charges for reckless homicide and a misdemeanor count for passing a school bus, with the stop arm extended, causing injury. She was being held in the Fulton County Jail with a surety bond of $15,000 and bonded out by early Tuesday night.

Tippecanoe Valley officials 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.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb offered the following statement:

“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.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updated information.

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10 comments

Donna Gillett Gehring October 30, 2018 at 10:18 am

Prayers for the families and the Rochester community.

Reply
Sandy October 30, 2018 at 2:23 pm

If you really mean what you say Governor Holcomb get rid of the stupid time change that your buddy Mitch Daniels crookedly got passed. It’s going to be even darker next week. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and all that are affected.

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Tom November 2, 2018 at 7:23 am

Yes; I agree. All of Indiana should be in the Central Time Zone! None of it should be on Eastern Daylight time.

Reply
Phillip j haisley October 30, 2018 at 5:13 pm

Why is it only a misdemeanor to pass a bus with the stop arm out when we can see from today’s tragedy what can happen

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Kim La Roux October 31, 2018 at 8:25 pm

My sentiments, EXACTLY! What kind of despicable human being does such a thing to begin with??? You KNOW there are children present when that arm is down!

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Keith Johnson November 2, 2018 at 7:46 am

also how could she go to work after something like that

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clark bookman November 1, 2018 at 5:35 am

i can guarantee that this irresponsible witch was either texting or yacking on her cellphone when she committed this god awful act…i seriously doubt if this mass killer serves more than 30 days in the county lockup….

Reply
H November 1, 2018 at 5:44 am

Sandy you sound ridiculous and completely off base. This has nothing to do with daylight savings. The fact of the matter is people are driving without care and concern for anyone except themselves. I’ve driven over 30000 mi so far this year and I see reckless driving all over the region. I’ve thought many times that it would unfortunately take an injury to stop all the crazy driving but It didn’t and wont. Its up to all of us to slowdown and pay attention.

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Keith Johnson November 2, 2018 at 7:44 am

how could she go to work after running down 4 children, killing 3 of them?

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Tom November 3, 2018 at 12:06 pm

Yes; I agree. All of Indiana should be in the Central Time Zone! None of it should be on Eastern Daylight time.

Reply

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