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LARWILL - Five members of a Pierceton family were killed in a two-vehicle collision Monday evening at Larwill.
The driver of the car, Penny M. Eppelmann, 36, was ejected from the vehicle and, despite the efforts of emergency crews, she was pronounced dead at the scene of the 6:11 p.m. accident.
All four passengers - Eppelmann's children - died upon impact, according to a press release issued by the Whitley County Sheriff's Department. Pronounced dead at the scene were Christopher Eppelmann, 16; David Eppelmann, 14; Shane Eppelmann, 12; and Jamie Eppelmann, 9. None of the occupants of the car was wearing a seat belt, police said.
According to police, Eppelmann was stopped northbound at a stop sign on Depot Street at U.S. 30. Eastbound traffic in the driving lane of U.S. 30 was stopped for the red traffic light at Ind. 5 and Eppelmann started north across U.S. 30. After clearing a semi tractor/trailer stopped in the driving lane, Eppelmann pulled into the path of a semi rig in the eastbound passing lane.
Eppelmann's car was struck in the driver's side, with the impact sending the car through the median. The car came to rest facing west in the westbound lanes of U.S. 30.
Reports indicate Eppelmann was returning to Pierceton after visiting her sister, whose home she left just prior to the accident.
The driver of the semi, Rex L. Brower, 22, of Columbia City, was taken to Parkview Hospital of Whitley County for treatment of extreme shock. He was later released.
Police said neither alcohol nor speed was a factor in the accident, which remains under investigation.
