NILES — Teachers and students alike at Howard and James Ellis Elementary schools coped as best they could today in the wake of a traffic accident that claimed the lives of two students.
Given the cohesion of instructors and students, it wasn’t easy.
“This has had a huge impact on our whole family,’’ said Michelle Asmus, the principal at the side-by-side schools.
Sophia True, 6, of Niles, a first-grade student at Ellis, died at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles shortly after the 3:50 p.m. Tuesday accident at Michigan 60 and Leet Road. This morning, her half sister, Juliana Brown, 9, a third-grader at Howard, also died of injuries suffered in the crash, said a spokeswoman at Memorial Hospital, South Bend.
A third sibling, Penelope True, 4, remained in critical condition at Memorial, the spokeswoman said. Niles School Superintendent Richard Weigel said Penelope had been expected to start preschool classes today at Northside School.
Weigel said Penelope’s condition had stabilized and doctors are hopeful she’ll fully recover. Sarah Michael, 19, a Niles resident and the driver of the auto in which the girls were passengers, suffered a broken arm, Weigel said, and reportedly was released after treatment at Memorial.
Asmus identified Michael as the children’s “sitter’’ or care provider. Sophia and Juliana attended classes at Howard and Ellis on Tuesday, Weigel said, and were picked up by Michael and on their way home when the accident occurred.
Michigan State Police in Niles said Michael’s sedan, traveling south on Leet, failed to stop at a stop sign and was struck broadside on the passenger side by a Dodge Ram pickup truck driven by Robert Camfield, 60, of Lawton, Mich. He was treated and released at the scene.
Neighbors who live in the area told WSBT-TV the stop sign at Leet and M-60 is difficult to see, making the intersection dangerous. Police asked that anyone who witnessed the crash contact them at 269-683-4411.
Asmus described Sophia and Juliana as “wonderful girls’’ who always smiled and had many friends. “They looked out not only for their friends but they looked out for one another,’’ she said. “If I had to sum it up in one word, I’d say (they were) sweet.’’
She said counselors spread out over five rooms were each meeting this morning with two to six students, telling them it was OK to cry.
“They see teachers crying so we want them to know it’s OK to be sad, it’s OK to have those emotions,’’ she said. “They’re drawing pictures, making lists of things they knew about the girls, telling stories. They’ll put them on their desks.’’
Sophia True, 6, of Niles, a first-grade student at Ellis, died at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles shortly after the 3:50 p.m. Tuesday accident at Michigan 60 and Leet Road. This morning, her half sister, Juliana Brown, 9, a third-grader at Howard, also died of injuries suffered in the crash, said a spokeswoman at Memorial Hospital, South Bend.
A third sibling, Penelope True, 4, remained in critical condition at Memorial, the spokeswoman said. Niles School Superintendent Richard Weigel said Penelope had been expected to start preschool classes today at Northside School.
Weigel said Penelope’s condition had stabilized and doctors are hopeful she’ll fully recover. Sarah Michael, 19, a Niles resident and the driver of the auto in which the girls were passengers, suffered a broken arm, Weigel said, and reportedly was released after treatment at Memorial.
Asmus identified Michael as the children’s “sitter’’ or care provider. Sophia and Juliana attended classes at Howard and Ellis on Tuesday, Weigel said, and were picked up by Michael and on their way home when the accident occurred.
Michigan State Police in Niles said Michael’s sedan, traveling south on Leet, failed to stop at a stop sign and was struck broadside on the passenger side by a Dodge Ram pickup truck driven by Robert Camfield, 60, of Lawton, Mich. He was treated and released at the scene.
Neighbors who live in the area told WSBT-TV the stop sign at Leet and M-60 is difficult to see, making the intersection dangerous. Police asked that anyone who witnessed the crash contact them at 269-683-4411.
Asmus described Sophia and Juliana as “wonderful girls’’ who always smiled and had many friends. “They looked out not only for their friends but they looked out for one another,’’ she said. “If I had to sum it up in one word, I’d say (they were) sweet.’’
She said counselors spread out over five rooms were each meeting this morning with two to six students, telling them it was OK to cry.
“They see teachers crying so we want them to know it’s OK to be sad, it’s OK to have those emotions,’’ she said. “They’re drawing pictures, making lists of things they knew about the girls, telling stories. They’ll put them on their desks.’’
CLICK HERE to read Niles Community Schools letter to parents on the tragedy.
Weigel said parents of Howard and Ellis students were notified of the tragedy Tuesday night, providing them with the opportunity to discuss the loss with their children. A statement he heard from one of the teachers today seemed particularly appropriate, he said.
“She said I know the children (Sophia and Juliana) had a great last day, surrounded by love,’’ he said. “I think that’s true.’’
“She said I know the children (Sophia and Juliana) had a great last day, surrounded by love,’’ he said. “I think that’s true.’’
WSBT Channel 22 will have an update to this story tonight at 5 and 6.
Staff writer Lou Mumford:
lmumford@sbtinfo.com
269-687-3551
lmumford@sbtinfo.com
269-687-3551
