Five days have passed since the St. James band loaded into two buses destined for Six Flags. One bus for boys. The other for girls.
As the group traveled down Interstate 44, they laughed and joked, likely reminisced about the summer’s band camp, and decided what rides they would go on when they arrived.
But about an hour into the trip, a few moments changed everything. First, the girls bus slammed into a pickup truck that had previously struck a the cab of a tractor trailer slowing for construction on the interstate. Then, the boys bus crashed into the first, pushing it on top of the pick up truck and over the semi cab.
When it was over, dozens of students would be sent to St. Louis area hospitals with injuries. Two girls — Emily Perona, 16, a band student and cross country star, and Danie L. Klein, 14 — would undergo surgery the next morning to repair their broken bodies. And 15-year-old Jessica Brinker — fondly remembered by her friends for her positive attitude and funky style — would be buried the next week, along with the 19-year-old pickup truck driver, Daniel Schatz, who played football as a walk-on at the University of Missouri.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s initial report says bus driver inattentiveness and following too closely played a role in the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating; their report is expected in a few weeks.
In it all, though, St. James has done what its always done — come together.
Mayor Dennis Wilson said Monday that he’s still receiving e-mails and phone calls from people wondering how they can help. Those people expand beyond the immediate community, though, and include people from neighboring cities, as well as those in other states.
Most are alumni of John. F. Hodge High School. Others feel a connection to St. James, having been in the area before for various events.
The messages are all the same — we’re praying for you; we’re here to help.
The St. James PTO will be having a spaghetti fund-raiser Aug. 21 to help the families affected by the accident cope with the unexpected financial impact.
It’s not clear whether authorities will pursue charges against the two bus drivers— Katherine P. Shackelford, 75, and Kelly M. McEnnis-Mullenix, 38. That will be up to Franklin County prosecutors.
According to the Highway Patrol, Shackelford, who was driving the girls bus, was checking her mirrors during a lane change and didn’t notice the accident in front of her.
McEnnis-Mullenix, who was driving the boys bus — the one her son also was on — was following Shackelford “too closely.”
