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For some Fulton County parents, school bus deaths puts trick-or-treating in perspective

Posted at 8:36 AM, Nov 01, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-01 08:36:55-04

ROCHESTER, Ind. -- In Rochester, Indiana, Halloween was a little different this year. 

Many people out trick-or-treating with their children in the Fulton County city said that the tragedy involving the death of three children getting onto a school bus Tuesday morning has put those types of family moments in perspective.

"Such a tragedy that we're all facing and it's very close to home," Bill Heckaman, a Rochester resident, said. 

Bill and Kara Heckaman were out walking with their girl and two boys, just a short distance away from the bus stop where three children were struck and killed crossing the street.

Alivia Stahl, 9, and her twin brothers, Xzavier and Mason Ingle, 6, were all pronounced dead at the scene. A fourth child was also struck. He is in a Fort Wayne hospital in stable condition.

The crash happened State Road 25 in Fulton County shortly after 7 a.m., north of Rochester, Indiana. Police say the driver of the pickup truck told them she saw the lights but didn't realize it as a bus until the kids were in front of her.

"It does put in perspective that life is very short," Bill said. 

They were two of many parents taking extra precautions after Tuesday's events, like Dayenera Taylor.

"We still do have to cross the street and we still do have to watch behind our back and in front of us for the curves and people just driving crazy," she said. 

"Just take time to celebrate and enjoy these times to celebrate with our kids," Bill Heckaman said. "But also mourn of the ones that have passed away and that's also important not to be lost."

MORE COVERAGE | No state laws regulate school bus stop locations| ​​​​​​Driver who killed 3 kids told police she didn't realize the lights were a school bus until too late | 3 siblings hit, killed while crossing the street to get on the school bus in Fulton County | Uncle remembers 3 siblings killed at Fulton Co. bus stop: "beautiful kids taken for no reason" | Indiana school district moves bus stop after 3 siblings killed | Bus stop arm violations on the rise