I recieved a call today from NBC News in New York wanting to interview me about the night of 4-26-06. That night was one that I'll never forget. In the many years of shooting news, this was the worst accident I have ever had to cover. NBC will be sending a crew Feb. 25 & 26th to talk to me about what the scene was like. It's going to be a tough time for me, but I'm sure I'll be ok. Below is what transpired that fateful evening and the mistake 5 weeks later...........

On April 26, 2006, four Taylor University students and a staff member from Creative Dining Services died when the van in which they were riding was struck by a semitrailer on I-69.

Students Laurel Erb, Brad Larson, Betsy Smith and Laura VanRyn died in the accident, as did dining services staff member Monica Felver.

Seriously injured in the crash were dining services staff persons Connie Magers, Michelle Miller and Vickie Rhodes along with a student, Whitney Cerak.

In the aftermath of the accident, Cerak and VanRyn were misidentified; the mistake was discovered five weeks later. Cerak has since recovered and returned to school.

The Taylor University community deeply appreciates the hundreds of messages, telephone calls and other gracious gestures that have come since the accident.

The following articles and materials document the accident, the outpouring of support and our journey from grief to healing.

*Please note that many of the original stories and materials posted regarding the accident may still reflect information as it was known on April 26, 2006, and for historical purposes might not be changed. We appreciate your understanding.

Press

Accident

• Students, Staff Involved in Fatal Crash [1] (04/26/2006; Taylor news release)
• Large photo of students in accident [2] (.jpg)
• Photo of Monica Felver: Small [3]  |  Large [4]  (.jpg)
• Taylor University Accident Follow-Up Report [5], WGNR's "New Day" (Windows Media Audio)
• News Release [6], Indiana State Police (.pdf)

Misidentification

• New Details Learned About Van Accident [7] (05/31/2006; Taylor news release)
• Taylor press conference and audio/video [8] (06/02/2006; Taylor news release)
• Marion C-T coverage and photo galleries [9]
• WRTV coverage [10]
• WTHR coverage [11]
• Laura VanRyn - large image [12] (.jpg) | larger image [13] (.tif, 300 dpi, 9 MB)
• Whitney Cerak - large image [14] (.jpg) | larger image [15] (.tif, 300 dpi, 9 MB)