Calvin Roark Shepard and his sister Karalee Daisy Shepard die 5 days apart after 12 year old boy and 13 year old East Lansing girl are struck by 64-year-old Williamston driver riding their bicycles in Leroy Township. Tragedy had left parents, Cody and Raqued Shepard praying for daughter surviving tragedy only to pass away as GoFundme is launched. Officials yet to rule if driver will now face any charges?
‘It was supposed to be a fun bike ride….’ An East Lansing, Michigan brother and sister have died 5 days apart from each other after they were both struck by a SUV while riding their bicycles.
According to the children’s parents, Cody and Raqued Shepard, of Williamston, the couple’s two children, Calvin Roark Shepard, 12, and his sister Karalee Daisy Shepard, 13, were riding their bikes together on September 5th when they were struck by an SUV.
The incident which according to WLNS happened in Leroy Township led to Calvin being pronounced dead at the scene. Karalee was rushed to the hospital in critical condition only to mortally succumb to her injuries five days later as her parents agonized against the odds that the girl would survive her ordeal.
East Lansing parents had prayed for their teen daughter’s survival
‘Please don’t stop praying,’ mom Raquel had shared on her Facebook wall. ‘She’s not out of the woods yet.’
On Thursday, at 1:27pm, Karalee passed away tied to complications related to her bicycle crash wounds.
‘It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share that our sweet Karalee passed away peacefully,’ the family wrote. ‘Our hearts are broken beyond what we can put into words.’
Calvin had just started middle school, excited that Karalee would be there to show him around. His original funeral had been scheduled for Saturday. After losing Karalee too, his parents changed those plans.
‘We simply cannot bear the thought of saying goodbye to our children twice,’ they said.
A joint funeral for both children will be held Tuesday at 10am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 431 E. Saginaw St. in East Lansing.
The family says they find comfort in believing the brother and sister who rode out together that day are together again now, “in the loving arms of our Savior.”
A GoFundMe has been set up to support the family. At the time of publishing over $141K had been raised in support of the Sheppard family.
Will 64-year-old East Lansing SUV driver now face charges?
Stated a report shared on Facebook, ‘Michigan Police said a Ford Explorer was traveling west on Grand River Avenue near North Meech Road at about 11.35 a.m, Saturday, Sept. 5., when it struck the two children, who were riding on the shoulder. Both were wearing helmets.
The driver, a 64-year-old Williamston woman was not hurt and stayed at the scene. No one has been arrested. Troopers said drugs and alcohol do not appear to have been factors. The investigation is ongoing and no charges have been announced.’
Authorities to date had yet to release what led to the two pre-teen children being struck and whether the children or driver was at fault and if the tragedy would be ruled ‘accidental’.
Road safety reminder for motorists sharing roads with bicyclists
The tragedy prompted state police to remind drivers of their duty to safely share the roadways.
‘Michigan law requires motorists to give bicyclists at least 3 feet of space when passing them. More importantly, drivers have a responsibility to remain alert, slow down when necessary and safely share the road with bicyclists and other vulnerable roadway users,’ Lt. DuWayne Robinson, Fifth District public information officer, said in a statement.
‘A tragedy like this is a heartbreaking reminder that we all have a responsibility when we get behind the wheel. Following traffic laws designed to protect everyone using our roadways can help prevent crashes and save lives,’ Robinson added.
The investigation is ongoing.
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