Tragedy has stuck South Ripley High School and its community. The community will be mourning the loss of three of their teens today.
Four boys and two girls, all from S. Ripley High School, were involved in a two vehicle accident after leaving a FFA school function where they served breakfast to farmers Thursday morning. Three of the teens died at the scene. The other three had injuries. The accident occurred at Fairgrounds Road and 850 North when the Ford and Dodge pickup trucks ran a stop sign and collided.
At a press conference at the Versailles State Police Post, names of the victims were released: Timothy Bowman, 17, Osgood, and driver of the Ford pickup; Jacob Vogel, 18, Versailles, and a passenger in the Ford pickup; Samantha Hansen, 18, Holton, passenger in the Dodge Ram. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Crash at Fairgrounds Road and 850 North.
Those injured: Thomas D. Crawford, 17, Dillsboro, driver of the Dodge Ram pickup. He was taken to UC Hospital for chest injuries; Kayla Adkinson, 15, Holton, injury unknown, backseat passenger in the Dodge Ram; Caleb Cumberworth, 15, Holton, with a minor hand injury.
Sgt. Noel Houze described the scene and said the two pickup trucks approached the intersection and both failed to stop. It happened about 9:45 a.m. The Ford pickup reached it first and hit the other vehicle broadside in the driver’s door. “As they approached this intersection, it was a four way stop. The initial reconstruction findings indicate both failed to stop at the sign. The F250 reached the intersection first,” Houze said.
The students were serving breakfast for farmers at the church. “Participation in the school breakfast was a school approved activity. Students who participated reported to the church at 6 a.m. and because this was prior to the school day they provided their own transportation. Students were scheduled to participate for the entire school day,” Supt. Rob Moorehead said at the press conference. He also they are not sure why some students left around 9:30 a.m. The FFA sponsor Pat Holland was at the event as a supervisor. Moorhead said they were ” great kids,” involved in many activities. Two of the students were seniors in a class of just 73. The entire school has 380 students.
School administrators called students to the gym to announce the tragedy Thursday morning, and tried to go on with classes. “These were great kids. They were doing a great thing today in participating in this event…these were truly wonderful kids and it’s a deep loss for the whole school community.” Moorhead said. He added, “‘It was an extremely difficult atmosphere.”
Grief counselors were on hand, and will continue to be, for students and staff.
“It’s a very very sad time at S. Ripley schools…Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families affected by this and the entire school community,” he said. The state FFA Association and the Indiana Department of Agriculture issued a statement. “We were very saddened to about the events which took place in Versailles…The loss of any life is tragic and heartbreaking. That heartbreak is only compounded when the loss of life happens to those who are so young…”
This is the second time this year the school has lost a student. 17 year old Matt Willman died in suddenly in January. They also lost a student in May 2012 from an ATV accident.
Sgt. Houze said all three killed had on seatbelts but the impact was too strong. There was no indication of electronic cell distractions, and the roads were clear with no ice.
As is standard procedure when there is a fatal accident an alcohol and drug test will be conducted.
