Fatal bus crash involved Pelican Rapids students

Were returning from Chicago band trip

Originally published 10:41 a.m., April 5, 2008
Updated 05:05 p.m., April 5, 2008

By Jeffrey Hage and Lauren Radomski

Daily Journal

ALBERTVILLE – A 16-year-old Pelican Rapids girl was killed early Saturday morning when a motor coach carrying the high school students crashed on Interstate 94 about one mile south of Albertville.

Jessica Weishair was pronounced dead following the accident, which involved 43 students and six adults.

The bus was one of two returning from Chicago, State Patrol Lt. Mark Peterson told Journal reporter Jeff Hage, who was covering the story in Albertville.

“It left Chicago about 10 p.m. last night (Friday). The crash occureed about 5:45 a.m.,” Peterson said.

At least 40 people were taken to area hospitals, Peterson said. 19 were taken to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis Park and 17 were taken to a hospital in Big Lake. Four more were transported to a hospital in Buffalo. Some victims in critical condition were transported to North Memorial Hospital in Robinsdale. It was not known if those were among those previously taken to the other hospitals.

The bus was owned by Richards Transportation of Moorhead. The bus driver was Loren Ernst, 69, of Moorhead. He was treated at a hospital and released.

Students at Pelican Rapids High School were remembering Jessica Weishair this afternoon, where reporter Lauren Radomski was on scene.

"She was so sweet. She helped me in school. She helped me in math - she

actually helped me pass math last year,” said Pelican Rapids sophomore Devin Kepeius.

Jessica was a sophomore who played on the school’s volleyball team, classmates said.

The second bus in the two-bus caravan returned to Pelican Rapids about 1:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Counselors and local clergy were on hand to meet with students before they left for their homes with parents

Some of the students on the first bus were scheduled to arrive in Pelican Rapids around around 4 p.m. Saturday, the district's Web site reported.

The occupants of the first bus were detained in Albertville where they were being interviewed by State Patrol investigators, Peterson said.

“All the students are being interviewed,” Peterson said.

Outide the St. Albert Catholic Church in Albertville a motor coach awaited the completion of the interviews so it could bring the students back home to Pelican Rapids. The students’ belongings were all gathered on the pavement of the church parking lot while many of those students already interviewed gathered outside the chuch. Many were leaving the church with family members who made the trip from Pelican Rapids to pick them up.

“The State Patrol crash investigative team reconstructed the accident, taking a look at the bus, its mechanics and the driver’s log,” Peterson said.

Superintendent Deb Wanek said from Pelican Rapids this afternoon that support from staff and clergy would be available to students in the next several days as the community deals with the loss of Jessica Weishair.

"Everyone grieves and hurts in different ways and we want to make

sure we address all those issues," she said.

A community prayer service is scheduled for 5 p.m. Sunday in the

Pelican Rapids High School gymnasium. School will be in session Monday,

with an early morning assembly for students.

"At this point, everybody's just rallying around to help each other

out," said Pelican Rapids Police Chief Jeff Stadum, who was among the

local law enforcement assisting with the students' return. "That's what

happens in a small town.

The crash happened near I-94 and Wright County Road 37.