Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Three children remain hospitalized as a result of Wednesday afternoon's church van crash near Woodburn that left a Warsaw girl dead.
Tara Goble, 13, and Kearston Ogden, 10, both of Warsaw, and Jeremy Taylor, 11, no address given, were all listed in serious condition this morning at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne. Lindsey Bruner, 11, Winona Lake, is in fair condition at Parkview.
The nature of their injuries was not disclosed.
Senior Pastor Ronnie Sams of First Christian Church of Warsaw held a press conference this morning to provide an official statement on behalf of the elders and church family. Catlyn Gosnell of Winona Lake was killed instantly when she was ejected from the van during the accident.
He described 11-year-old Catlyn Gosnell as a "young Christian girl whose smiling face and sweet attitude will be deeply missed. ... Our hearts go out to Art and Sharon Gosnell in the loss of their beautiful daughter."
Gosnell was one of 11 children who were passengers in a church van driven by A. Scott Smiley, 30, of Warsaw. Smiley has been the children's minister for the church since November 2000 and was taking the group on a missions trip to Woodburn Christian Children's Home. The children were going to paint an outdoor shelter and share a barbecue with the children of the home. A surprise pool party was planned for the church group by directors of the home. This was the youngest age group ever to participate in such a missions trip from the church.
"As difficult as it may be, we all realize that we must move on," Sams said. "High on the list of things we must do now is to reflect and remember."
Information regarding the accident and obtained from both church and police officials indicates that Smiley mistakenly thought the intersection at U.S. 24 and Ind. 101 was a four-way stop.
Sams said he has since learned that this is a common mistake made by motorists unfamiliar with the intersection.
When Smiley pulled into the intersection, Donald Albert Roberts of Montrose, Pa., the driver a semi tractor/trailer on U.S. 24, was unable to avoid colliding with the van.
Sams said Roberts "did everything in his power to avoid a collision." He said investigating officers told him Roberts' efforts to avoid the crash "probably saved the lives of several other children." The evasive action taken by Roberts resulted in his rig rolling over onto the highway.
Released from Fort Wayne hospitals were: Marshall Sanders, 10; Cassandra Cochran, 12; Kimberly Cochran, 13; Erica Tidwell, 11; and Clayson Wilhite, 10, all of Warsaw; and Kaitlin Scheider, 11, Pierceton.
Sams said pastors and Christian friends from across the state and beyond have inundated the church telephones and voice mailboxes with messages and prayers.
"Many have prayed with me over the phone and their compassion and obvious concern is deeply appreciated."
The community also has rallied around the church family "unbelievably," Sams said. "We know that we're being lifted and supported."
Police said alcohol was not a factor in the crash and no determination has been made as to whether charges will be filed in connection with the accident.
