A verdict was reached in the case of Alyssa Shepherd, who’s accused of killing three children, and injuring a fourth, as they were boarding a school bus in October 2018.
Shepherd was found guilty on all charges.
Shepherd was charged with three counts of reckless homicide for the deaths of six-year-old twins Xzavier and Mason Ingle, and their nine-year-old sister, Alivia Stahl. She’s also charged with one count of criminal recklessness resulting in bodily injury for injuring 11-year-old Maverik Lowe.
On Friday, Shepherd took the stand in her own defense during the fourth day of testimony in the trial. ABC 57 reports this is the first time Shepherd has spoken about the crash.
She testified that she assumed it was an oversize load/modular home, but when she saw children, she knew it was a bus.
Shepherd has been accused of failing to brake during the crash, but she testified that she did brake, though she doesn’t remember how she moved the steering wheel.
Shepherd also claims she was familiar with the road, and drives it several times a week. She said she saw blinking lights, but said “sometimes you see blinking red lights on a vehicle and you don’t have to stop.”
Shepherd’s husband, Neil, also testified Friday, stating she was very hysterical after the crash and said it “wasn’t okay.”
Shepherd’s friend, Brittany Thompson, also took the stand Friday to testify about receiving a phone call from her after the crash that morning. Thompson says when she answered, all she could hear was screaming and could tell Shepherd was going in and out of shock.
Shepherd’s sentencing date is set for for December 18. She could face up to 21.5 years behind bars.
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