HOPE — More than 100 students gathered at the Hauser Jr.-Sr. High School flagpole Thursday morning to pray for classmates injured during a vehicle accident across from the school property.
The gathering, which began at 7:30 a.m. before the start of classes, was led by Hauser senior Sean Miller with assistance from senior Jada Asher and junior Melanie Hasler. More than a dozen adults, including Town of Hope leaders, clergy and parents, attended the event to offer their support.
The prayer vigil ended prior to the 7:45 a.m. start of school at Hope Elementary and 7:55 a.m. start at Hauser.
Erin Newcomb, 17, of Columbus, was critically injured in a crash at 11:55 a.m. Wednesday. She was among three Hauser students who were trapped in the wreckage for nearly an hour rescue personnel worked to free them.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
The three other students involved in the accident were Sarah Vanderlind, 17, the driver, of Hope; and passengers Veronica McKinney, 16, of Hope; and John Bragg, 17, also of Hope. Newcomb, McKinney and Bragg were all trapped in the vehicle. The girls are all Hauser seniors, and Bragg is a junior.
The student most seriously injured, Newcomb, was transported by medical helicopter to IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, where she continued to be listed in critical condition as of 3:30 p.m. Thursday, a hospital spokesperson said.
Vanderlind was initially taken to Columbus Regional Hospital, then transferred Wednesday to Methodist Hospital as a precaution, Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Superintendent Shawn Price said Thursday. She has since been released from Methodist.
McKinney and Bragg were also taken to Columbus Regional Hospital, where they were treated for their injuries. McKinney was listed in stable condition as of 4 p.m. Thursday, while Bragg had been released, a hospital spokesperson said.
The accident occurred at State Road 9 and County Road 600N, at the edge of the school campus.
Bartholomew County Sheriff deputies said a Ram truck driven by Jonathan Tappe, 26, of Taylorsville was southbound on State Road 9 pulling a trailer when Vanderlind’s Chevy Cavalier containing the students was traveling west on County Road 600N. Vanderlind had attempted to cross the state highway and did not see the oncoming truck, which struck the car’s passenger side, sheriff deputies said.
Tappe was not injured, but was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital to be checked, deputies said.
The students were believed to be headed from Hauser to IUPUC and C4 classes at Columbus North High School.
“We’ve had an outpouring of support,” Price said, from the Hope area and other parts of Bartholomew County.
That includes extra support for counseling of Hauser students and families, especially the ones injured in the accident, he said.
“We’re just leaning on one another and that’s how we’re going to get through this,” Price said.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”What’s inside” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
A 19-year-old man died Tuesday afternoon after he was involved in a two-vehicle crash near Scipio. See story on Page A6.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
