Four teenagers were killed and five more were hospitalized after they were struck while pushing a stalled SUV on their way to a slumber party.
Nevaeh Law, 14, Jenna Helton, 14, and Brittany Watson, 15, all died at the scene after they were struck on State Route 258 in Cortland, Indiana on Saturday around 11pm.
Martin Martinez, 16, was pronounced dead after he was airlifted to Methodist Hospital.
Victoria Valdivia, 15, Courtney Arthur, 14, and Allerika Henline, 15, were all injured and airlifted to nearby hospitals for treatment. Their conditions remain unknown.
Nevaeh Law, 14, was one of four teens who were killed when they were struck while pushing a stalled SUV on a road in Cortland, Indiana on Saturday
Jenna Helton, 14, (left) and Brittany Watson, 15, (right) also died at the scene after they were struck on State Route 258
Victoria Burchard, 15, was treated and released from a local hospital. Starlit Watson, the 12-year-old sister of Brittany, was also treated and released following the crash.
Cara Selby, 37, was driving the nine children to a slumber party she was hosting for her daughter Victoria Valdivia when her car broke down just a block away from the home.
Martin Martinez, 16, was pronounced dead after he was airlifted to Methodist Hospital
The juveniles got out to push her SUV the rest of the way when they were struck by Elizabeth Watson, 24, who was driving a Chevrolet Traverse, according to WDRB.
Authorities are investigating the crash. It remains unknown if Watson will face charges.
The community gathered at Seymour High School, where Helton and Martinez were both students, for a vigil on Sunday night.
Torre Collins said her daughter Nevaeh was just days away from her 15th birthday.
‘She was so loving, as were all the kids,’ Collins told The Seymour Tribune.
‘Nevaeh was an amazing young lady. She was so bright and was very dedicated to her friends.
Jackie Watson said her daughter Brittany was ‘very smart and had big dreams’.
Cara Selby, 37, was driving the nine children, including Law (pictured), to a slumber party she was hosting for her daughter when her car broke down just a block away from the home
The juveniles got out to push her SUV the rest of the way when they were struck by Elizabeth Watson, 24, who was driving a Chevrolet Traverse. Pictured is Jenna Helton
‘She had the biggest heart of anyone I had ever met,’ she said.
Watson said her young daughter, Starlit, just suffered a few ‘bumps and bruises’ in the accident.
‘But she is tore up about her sister,’ Watson added.
The younger sister of Brittany Watson (pictured) was also injured in the crash
John Helton described his daughter Jenna as a ‘good-hearted girl’ who loved being with her friends.
‘She was always joking and laughing,’ he said. ‘She loved her four-year-old sister with Down syndrome. She was sweet and caring.’
‘She was my angel, and she will be terribly missed.’
Terri Martinez learned of her son’s death while she was on vacation in Florida.
‘It’s way too soon for him,’ she said. ‘He was too sweet and would do anything for anyone.’
Friends and family members hugged and cried as they were led through a community prayer at the vigil on Sunday.
Pastor Andy Schroer read each victim’s name out loud as the crowd lit candles and released balloons into the sky.
‘We want to take some time to love and to hug and to encourage and to cry,’ he told the crowd. ‘And to just be there for each other.’