The Roth Report

Special Report 2:

Schrock Tragedy in WA

Thursday, November 3, 2005

emailed around 7:00 a.m. Pacific

I send out this update mostly to correct the early reporting regarding the children not using safety belts.

Investigators spent time on the scene on Wednesday trying to recreate the collision. Initially, they said none of the children was wearing a seat belt. But they now say at least some of them were belted in.

     Friends of the Schrock family say Jeffrey’s wife, Carolyn Schrock spent all night and all day by her husband’s side at Sacred Heart Medical Center. Despite her grief, friends say Carolyn is reaching out to Cliff Helm, the driver suspected of causing the accident.

     Carolyn Schrock is expecting her sixth baby in about six weeks. Friends are hoping the birth of her child will somehow ease the pain of her tremendous loss.

     KHQ Local News has learned all Mennonite churches along the west coast have been notified of the accident. Congregations are reportedly pulling together to offer housing, food and other basic needs to the family. They will also help pay for funeral expenses.

     When an accident like this happens, it is standard procedure for the county to provide emotional help for responders to the emergency. Spokane County has what it calls a Critical Incident Stress Management Team. Most firefighters -- especially those with young children -- will tell you responding to scenes like Tuesday night’s are more difficult than usual. [KHQ-TV Web; 11/2]

Jeffrey B. Schrock remains hospitalized but is expected to pull through, Washington State Patrol Trooper Jeff Sevigney said. The other motorist in the crash, Clifford L. Helm, is in satisfactory condition.

     “It’s obviously the worst collision in recent history, at least in this area,” Sevigney said. “Some troopers with 20-plus years of experience said it’s the worst crash they’ve ever seen. It’s certainly a tragedy for the families and the community as well.”

     Washington State Patrol detectives returned today to the scene of the crash, just north of the intersection of US Highway 395 and Hatch Road, Sevigney said. The investigation hopes to solve why Helm’s 1999 Ford F-250 pickup crossed the median and struck Schrock’s southbound 1986 Ford F-250 pickup in the southbound lane.

     WSP first reported that none of the children had seatbelts, but that information changed this afternoon.

     “Based on witness statements, three of the kids were restrained in some way,” Sevigney said. “But due to the severity of the crash, the seatbelts were not effective.” The youngest child, Craig, was not in a child safety seat. “That child was not properly restrained,” he said.

     Investigators have not determined whether speed or aggressive driving was a factor. But Sevigney said investigators are looking into Helm’s driving record. He did not know if Schrock, who has no record of driving infractions in Spokane County, ever hit his brakes. “There was some evasive maneuvering at the last moment, but it happened so fast he didn’t have any time to do anything,” Sevigney said of Schrock.

     So far, the investigation has not determined what caused Helm’s truck to cross the median and crash head-on with the Schrock truck. “There are no indicators of any major medical problems or alcohol or drug impairment,” Sevigney said. “We have many questions we are hoping to get answers for. This is puzzling.”

     A WSP detective did speak with Helm at Sacred Heart Medical Center. “But nothing really was gleaned from it,” Sevigney said. “We are hoping to talk to him later.” But Helm did express remorse for the Schrock family, Sevigney said.

     “The Schrock family indicated that they were going to pray for the causing driver,” Sevigney said. “It’s pretty remarkable for the situation they are in.” [Forwarded news story; 11/3]

Daniel Hertzler estimated there were about 50 members of the church in the Chewelah area. Many traveled to the hospital, he said. “We believe God has control of all things,” Hertzler said, “and that people do not always understand why tragedies happen. That fact helps us all to cope with a situation such as here.”

     The Spokesman-Review reported that about 800 Mennonites from across the United States and Canada will travel to Spokane to attend the children’s funeral Monday morning.

     The Schrocks and other Pine Grove members are praying for Helm, said Ruth Hertzler, Daniel’s wife. “Carolyn has expressed no plans to sue him,” she said. “We feel great sorrow for him and his family. Our church will be praying for them.” [Associated Press; 11/3]