Teachers aid children whose parents died in crash
MADISONVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Teachers of four Madisonville children who lost their parents in a collision with a drunken driver are heading to Ohio to take toys and cards to the children.
The accident happened early Sunday as the family was going to see relatives for Christmas. A driver headed the wrong way on I-75 in Ohio hit their van head-on, killing Scott and Michele Barhorst.
The four children – Tori, Hailee, Logan and Tyler – survived and are recovering in an Ohio hospital. The children are aged 8 to 18.
WVLT-TV reported three of their teachers planned to take gifts to the children Thursday.
Teacher Melissa Moree is Hailee’s reading teacher.
“She’s the sweetest little girl. She just lights up when she gets something right,” Moree said. “She wanted to be a vet, and she’s very driven.”
Logan’s reading teacher Betsy West said the little girl loves to read.
“She often asks to borrow books from my classroom. In fact, she took one home to read (over the Christmas break).”
West said people the teachers don’t even know have contacted them about helping the children.
“It seems like the whole community is coming together,” she said.
Moree said the trip is about more than the gifts.
“I’m really hoping a familiar face will help because I can’t imagine what they’re going through.”