Six Children Involved in Deadly Wreck on Their Way to School
By: Brendaliss Gonzalez
Updated: January 29, 2013
Many around this small community will never view this road the same way again.
It's the spot where six children, headed to school never made it.
They were on their way to Paint Creek ISD when the driver, 16 year-old Christopher Elias lost control.
A 14 year-old, Amber Conn, died instantly.
Now a four and 11 year-old fight for their lives.
"Everyone's in shock, I mean we never saw anything like this happening," said Misty Duran, whose cousins' four children were involved in the accident.
It's been a tough day for kids and staff at Paint Creek.
"You know it does affect small schools because all these kids do know each other, they grow up together they play together most of these kids when they come to school out here, they may come out in kindergarten but they'll stay forever," said Richard Cumby, the principal at the school.
But it's been especially tough for those closest to the children.
Like Peggy Bailiff whose four great-grandchildren were inside the car.
"They just were starting their lives and now some of them are gone," she said.
She's taken out a few of the pictures she has of the two who are in the worst condition.
It's all she can do as she sits and waits to hear of any updates.
"We may never get to have them over for something or nothing and its just making me sick," she said.
It's been a trying time for the family as they try to cope and pray for a miracle.
"They're really strong kids, tough, tough kids," said Duran.
Not only for their own, but for everyone whose life has changed.
KTAB spoke with a member of Amber's family who understandably didn't want to go on camera but thanked everyone for their prayers.
Family tell us four year-old Zander Elias has been taken off his ventilator, but 11 year-old Danica hasn't.
They both remain in serious condition at Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth.
Family members tell us donations will be accepted at the Walmart in Stamford where Conn's mother and father both work, to help with funeral costs.
The three other children involved in the accident were not severely injured and did not have to be hospitalized.
A representative from the Texas Department of Public Safety tells us neither of the children were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.
The investigation is still ongoing.
It's the spot where six children, headed to school never made it.
They were on their way to Paint Creek ISD when the driver, 16 year-old Christopher Elias lost control.
A 14 year-old, Amber Conn, died instantly.
Now a four and 11 year-old fight for their lives.
"Everyone's in shock, I mean we never saw anything like this happening," said Misty Duran, whose cousins' four children were involved in the accident.
It's been a tough day for kids and staff at Paint Creek.
"You know it does affect small schools because all these kids do know each other, they grow up together they play together most of these kids when they come to school out here, they may come out in kindergarten but they'll stay forever," said Richard Cumby, the principal at the school.
But it's been especially tough for those closest to the children.
Like Peggy Bailiff whose four great-grandchildren were inside the car.
"They just were starting their lives and now some of them are gone," she said.
She's taken out a few of the pictures she has of the two who are in the worst condition.
It's all she can do as she sits and waits to hear of any updates.
"We may never get to have them over for something or nothing and its just making me sick," she said.
It's been a trying time for the family as they try to cope and pray for a miracle.
"They're really strong kids, tough, tough kids," said Duran.
Not only for their own, but for everyone whose life has changed.
KTAB spoke with a member of Amber's family who understandably didn't want to go on camera but thanked everyone for their prayers.
Family tell us four year-old Zander Elias has been taken off his ventilator, but 11 year-old Danica hasn't.
They both remain in serious condition at Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth.
Family members tell us donations will be accepted at the Walmart in Stamford where Conn's mother and father both work, to help with funeral costs.
The three other children involved in the accident were not severely injured and did not have to be hospitalized.
A representative from the Texas Department of Public Safety tells us neither of the children were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.
The investigation is still ongoing.
