MercyMe Tour Bus Crash Claims Three Lives
Michael Ireland : Aug 11, 2009
ASSIST News
Witnesses told Fort Wayne police that at about 1:15 a.m. the tour bus was traveling north on Lima Road through a green light at Coliseum Boulevard in Fort Wayne. A black car traveling south on Lima turned abruptly eastbound onto Coliseum Boulevard and struck the bus.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Sometimes tragic things happen and there's just nothing anyone can do about it. Such is the case with the accident involving MercyMe's tour bus. Although they were apparently not at fault?having the green light?I'm sure the loss of life of those in the car that hit them, including the little unborn baby, is very hard for everyone involved. The band has asked for prayer for the families, and I echo that sentiment? that somehow, God would use the compassionate hearts of the members of MercyMe to bring comfort and healing to the families who've lost loved ones, and healing to the young driver who is in critical condition. ?Aimee Herd, BCN.
(Fort Wayne, IN)?A tragic accident involving the popular Christian music group MercyMe has left three dead and forced the cancellation of a tour appearance by the group.
The MercyMe automobile accident in Fort Wayne, Indiana, claimed its third victim as the unborn baby of the car's driver was discovered to be dead soon after the crash. (Photo via Chicago Tribune website)
According to an Associated Press (AP) report, cited by the Chicago Tribune newspaper, the 18-year-old driver, Kara Klinker of Fort Wayne, who was in her third trimester of pregnancy, was taken to the hospital in critical condition, and her unborn baby was pronounced dead soon after Klinker had [crashed] into MercyMe's tour bus. Klinker was nearly nine months pregnant at the time of Saturday's crash.
Authorities say the Fort Wayne woman remained in critical condition after her car hit a Christian band's tour bus, causing a wreck that took the life of her unborn baby and the two passengers riding in the car she was driving.
The newspaper reports that Parkview Hospital said 18-year-old Kara Klinker remained in critical condition Sunday.
The Journal Gazette of Fort Wayne reports that the two car passengers who died in the crash were 17-year-old Barbara R. Schmucker and 19-year-old Dario L. Boutte.
The Chicago Tribune newspaper reported no one from the Texas-based band MercyMe was seriously injured. Band members were very shook up but unhurt.
Witnesses told Fort Wayne police that at about 1:15 a.m. the tour bus was traveling north on Lima Road through a green light at Coliseum Boulevard in Fort Wayne. A black car traveling south on Lima turned abruptly eastbound onto Coliseum Boulevard and struck the bus.
On their website, MercyMe posted the following statement:
"Please join with us in praying for the families of the car that hit our bus last night. Our hearts break for their families."