Remembering the 2018 Fulton County bus stop accident

FULTON COUNTY, Ind. (WNDU) – Today we want to take a moment to remember a terrible tragedy that happened in our viewing area.

On October 30, 2018, four children tried to cross a rural highway in Fulton County to board a Tippecanoe Valley school bus. They were hit by a driver who ignored the brake light and flashing lights of a stopped school bus.

Six years ago today, three siblings were killed and a fourth student was seriously injured at a bus stop in Fulton County.

The tragic event sparked a movement to change school bus safety laws in Indiana.

Trisha Sloma met with Brittany Ingle, mother of Alivia Stahl and twins Mason and Xavier Ingle.

“This is amazing. My boys were 6 years old, Trisha. Their 13-year-old friends still remember. Their hearts are still broken,” Ingle said. “The destruction is not worth it. Slow down. Wait. Make the right decision. We always talk. Give yourself more time.”

Brittany is passionate about school bus safety, especially during this dangerous time of year.

“No parent should ever have to bury a child, let alone three. I’ve said that from day one,” Ingle said. “I tell you. I ask you, as drivers, please give yourself some time.”

This family has been through a lot of pain and can now celebrate special moments.

The eldest daughter Selena Stahl will graduate from school this year.

Brittany and her husband Shane had a baby through surrogacy. Little Psalm is now one.

Brittany is still pushing for national school bus legislation to ensure all states are on the same page.

“I think about bus safety. One law. Same rules. Doesn’t confuse you. Whether you’re going to Michigan or Louisiana. These yellow lights mean you need to slow down. These red lights, you stop. And the penalties will be severe,” Ingle said.

The woman responsible for the 2018 crash, Alyssa Shepherd, served a two-and-a-half year prison sentence. Her driver’s license is suspended until 2032.

Maverick Lowe is a boy who was seriously injured in an accident. He will turn 18 in February. He underwent 25 surgeries and almost lost his leg. He will graduate from Tippecanoe Valley in June.