Family’s utter despair as daughter, 13, dies in hospital days after bicycle crash that also killed 12-year-old son
A 13-year-old girl from Williamston, Michigan, has died in hospital days after a road crash that also killed her 12-year-old brother, leaving their family devastated. Karalee and Calvin Shepard were riding their bicycles along the shoulder of a road near Lansing on 5 September when a Ford Explorer, driven by a 64-year-old woman, struck them both; Calvin was pronounced dead at the scene, while Karalee suffered life-threatening injuries and died on Thursday from complications. Their mother, Raquel Roark Shepard, said the pair were "together again" and paid tribute to both children on Facebook.
Both children were reportedly wearing helmets at the time of the collision, and police have said they do not believe drugs or alcohol were involved. The driver, who was unharmed, remained at the scene and has not been arrested or charged as of Friday. The siblings' funerals have been combined and will be held together on Tuesday, with their mother saying the family could not bear saying goodbye twice. A GoFundMe set up by a family friend had raised more than $137,000 by Friday morning to support the family, who have six children in total.
- Michigan siblings, 13 and 12, both die after SUV hit their bikes
- Driver, 64, uninjured and not yet arrested or charged
- Joint funeral planned Tuesday; GoFundMe raises over $137,000