6-Year-Old Boy Killed In Gary Church Bus Crash Near Indianapolis
(CBS) — A six-year-old boy died and 10 other people were hurt Tuesday when a bus from a Gary church en route to a national youth convention in Dayton, Ohio, hit a tree, flipped over and caught fire.
The bus held about 15 people, was purchased used about a week ago, and was heading east out of Indianapolis on Interstate 70, leading a convoy of eight cars from the St. Jude Family Worship Center, at 4201 Broadway, in Gary, to a national youth convention when problems developed.
"They were having power steering problems. A girl was driving. And then a guy took over, and when he took over, that's when they had the accident," said James McKinney, whose brother is married to the daughter of St. Jude's pastor, Bishop Lois Hill.
The bus hit a tree, overturned and caught fire. McKinney said six-year-old Jacob Williams' father watched him die. Hill said the other injuries were minor. Hill and her daughter each drove one of the other vehicles in the caravan.
Indiana State Police say the driver of the bus, 53-year-old Charles Goodman, was driving on a suspended license and was wanted on a warrant for failing to show up in court on a traffic violation. Police say driver error caused the crash.
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Church member LaWanda Alexander was unable to attend with her daughter because of work. She said the church sends a delegation to the convention each year.
Members who were not on the trip began coming to the church shortly after the accident occurred. About a dozen people gathered inside as they offered prayers for Jacob and for the others who were hurt. McKinney was told that the other injuries were minor. Those hurt were taken to three Indianapolis-area hospitals.
