Feb 24, 2008 11:01 am US/Central
Truck Driver Recalls Witnessing Deadly Bus Crash
COTTONWOOD, Minn. (WCCO) ―
A truck driver who witnessed Tuesday's deadly school bus crash is talking about what he saw that day, when four students died after their bus collided with a van.
The woman driving the van is charged with four counts of criminal vehicular homicide. She says her name is Alianiss Morales, but federal immigration agents say that's not her real name. They think she is an illegal immigrant.
Larry Moat says the crash happened about 200 feet in front of him.
On his way back from the Twin Cities on Tuesday, Larry Moat came across a scene that he says will stay with his mind forever. He saw a van speed across Highway 23 and crash into a bus in front of him.
"As soon as I got the truck stopped I grabbed the cell phone and called 911," recalled Moat.
He then ran towards the crash and helped students move away from the bus. Days later, Moat said he was getting over the trauma of that afternoon, and he's praying for the victims and their families.
"I'm sure it's traumatic for a lot of them but hopefully with counseling they will get through it okay," added Moat.
Part of the healing process for Mackenzie Nelson and the rest of the Lakeview students began Friday, when the girls' basketball team played a sectional playoff game and won.
"It's just shocking. You see it in big towns but never thought it would happen to us," said Mackenzie.
Mackenzie knows Hunter and Jesse Javens' family. She also knows their funerals, along with the funerals for the other victims will be hard on the entire community.
"I've talked to family members they say it's tough but they are moving on one step at a time," she added.
Visitation for one of the victims, 9-year-old Emilee Olson took place this evening at Christ Lutheran Church in Cottonwood. Her funeral was scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m.
Superintendent Sheldon Johnson said he told students and teachers to take a deep breath today and prepare for the upcoming week, in which all four students will be held for all four students.
Emilee Olson was in the third grade. She loved ponies and playing the piano. A couple days ago her brother Sidney was released from a hospital. He broke a hand in the accident, and had glass removed from his head.
A funeral will be held Monday for the two brothers killed in the bus crash, 9-year-old Hunter Javens and 13-year-old Jesse Javens. Their funeral is scheduled to be at Lakeview Public School at 11 a.m.
A visitation is scheduled for the brothers at the school Sunday evening and one hour before the funeral.
Twelve-year-old Reed Stevens' funeral is scheduled at the school Thursday at 2 p.m. There will also be a visitation at the school the night before and one hour before the funeral.
Four bus crash victims are still in the hospital tonight in Sioux Falls. Two students are in fair condition, one student in good condition and one adult is in good condition. One student is in fair condition at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
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