A small town in Owen County is mourning the loss of three members of one family killed in a crash Sunday morning.
SPENCER, Ind. (WTHR) – A small town in Owen County is mourning the loss of three members of one family killed in a crash Sunday morning. The two grade school children who survived the accident are left without their parents and their sister.
Investigators say the driver of a Chevy pickup truck drifted out his westbound lane on State Road 46, then over corrected and hit the family's Hyundai Santa Fe van head on near Statesville Road. 40-year-old Michael Mascoe and his 45-year-old wife, Rhonda, died at the scene. Rhonda's 19-year-old daughter Zoey Bennington, a student at Vincennes University, died at the hospital from her injuries. 10-year-old Grace and 8-year-old Mikey are recovering from their injuries at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.
"It's devastating," said Dr. Chad Briggs, Spencer-Owen Community Schools Superintendent. "When it first happened, word spread fast. Just like our school's name, community, we're a community here. People look out for one another, care for one another. We're dealing with the shock of it, but we also want to deal with those who are left behind and make sure we help our students and staff and the family through this most difficult time."
The Mascoe family was active in the Owen County schools and sports community. On Saturday, they attended Mikey's baseball game at the Owen Valley Sports Complex in Spencer. The family was headed to Columbus for Grace's softball tournament Sunday when their vehicle was struck around 7:15 a.m.
Grace is a fourth grader and Mikey a second grader at Spencer Elementary. Teachers spoke to their classmates when classes resumed this morning.
"Let them know what happened," said Dr. Briggs. "Let them know that we're here for them. We want to make sure that we know that they are going to mourn. They should mourn. There's support and help for them here. This is a most difficult time for thousands of people who knew this family."
Zoey played volleyball and softball at Owen Valley High School and just graduated last year.
"Zoey was the epitome of what we want all of our students to be," said Dr. Briggs. "She was the first one to show up. She was the one working the hardest. She led by example. We tell our students and families all the time to be role models and Zoey was."
Zoey was also a lifeguard and camp counselor at the Owen County Family YMCA. Gracie and Mikey participate in almost everything offered there.
Those closest to the Mascoe family were understandably not ready to speak on camera today. But the sign in front of the YMCA speaks for all of Owen County.
The red letter display alternated two messages Monday: "Our sympathy and prayers for the Mascoe Family" and "Healing prayers for Grace and Mikey."
Gracie plays for a Demand Command softball team based in Bloomington. The organization posted a statement on Facebook asking players to honor the family by running out to their positions on the field in the 1st inning and taking a knee to pray for them for 10 seconds at their upcoming games.
A GoFundMe account has also been started to assist the family.
