Fulton County Sheriff’s Office Warns Against Threatening Those Involved In Deadly Bus Stop Crash
FULTON COUNTY — The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office released a statement Saturday, Nov. 3, asking the public not to threaten individuals involved in the deadly school bus stop crash that occurred near Rochester on Tuesday, Oct. 30.
Alyssa L. Shepherd, 24, was traveling southbound on SR 25 when she failed to stop for a Tippecanoe Valley school bus, which had its stop arm and exterior lights activated. As children crossed the road to board the bus, Shepherd struck four children with her pickup truck. Nine-year-old Alivia Stahl and her 6-year-old twin brothers, Xzavier and Mason Ingle, were killed in the crash. Maverik Lowe, 11, was struck by the vehicle and is currently recovering from his injuries in a Fort Wayne hospital. Stahl and the Ingle twins attended Mentone Elementary School.
Shepherd was arrested on Oct. 30 in the Fulton County Jail with a $15,000 surety bond. She has already posted bond. Shepherd has been charged with three counts of reckless homicide, level 5 felonies; and one count of passing a school bus causing injury, a class A misdemeanor.
According to a Facebook post from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Chris Sailors asked the public to not harass individuals involved in the accident, acknowledging that “emotions are running high.”
Sheriff Sailors posted the following statement on Facebook:
“Concerning the recent tragedy that occurred this past week in Fulton County:
First, I ask that you please remember all of the people that have been affected by this devastating and tragic loss in your thoughts and prayers. This has brought our community to its knees and we hurt. We have a very long road to recovery and we need to let the healing and recovery process take its course.
As expected, emotions are running high. We are in the early stages of an investigation which will be complete and thorough. No good can come from the harassment and the threats of violence against individuals involved. This needs to cease immediately and will not be tolerated. There is a process through the criminal investigation and the courts, and I assure you that it is being followed.
Lastly, I want to thank everyone for the open show of support for our county and communities, as these last few days have been trying for all of us. I wish to thank the agencies that have called and offered support to my office, our 911 dispatch center and other first responders who have been involved.
I ask that you just keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers.
Sheriff Sailors.”
