Illinois school bus crash victims identified: Five people, including siblings aged three and five, killed when vehicle veered into oncoming semi-truck and exploded into flames

The five people, including three children, killed in a head-on collision between a school bus and a truck in Illinois have been identified.

The victims were named as 72-year-old David Coufal of Browning; 57-year-old Angela Spiker of Rushville; five-year-old Maria Miller and three-year-old Andrew Miller of Rushville; and three-year-old Noah Driscoll of Rushville.

Spiker’s brother, Scott Waterman, confirmed on Facebook that his sister was driving the bus when she veered into the lane of an oncoming truck.

“Lord God, please be with my family tonight as we deal with a terrible tragedy. We lost my loving sister today,” he wrote.

“She was driving a small school bus and today she had three children on board. For some reason they drifted into the lane of an oncoming semi and they collided head-on. There were no survivors.’

Angela Spiker, 57, was driving a Schuyler-Industry Schools bus with three children on board when she struck oncoming traffic

The bus collided with a semi-truck driven by 72-year-old David Coufal. Both vehicles caught fire

The bus was traveling west on U.S. Route 24 at Parkview Road around 11:30 a.m. Monday when it veered and struck the truck, which was driven by Coufal. Both vehicles caught fire.

The crash occurred in Rushville, a small town about 60 miles outside of Springfield. All five victims were pronounced dead at the scene, according to Illinois State Police.

“There aren’t really any words that can be said at this point,” Schuyler County Sheriff Bill Redshaw said at a news conference Monday afternoon. “When you lose a human life like that, it’s devastating.”

All three children on board the school bus were pre-K students from Schuyler-Industry Schools. The district posted a message on social media Monday afternoon.

“It is with heavy hearts that we have to announce that our school community has lost both staff and students in the traffic incident involving one of our school buses this morning,” the statement said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and our community.”

School was canceled until Wednesday, March 13. The district plans to offer counselors and support staff for students and teachers.

Life Family Church in Virginia, Illinois launched a fundraiser to support the Miller family.

“It is with great sadness that we have to bring you this news today,” the church wrote on social media. “Maria and Andrew Miller were in a fatal accident on the way to school.”

The accident also claimed the life of 3-year-old Noah Driscoll. All five victims were pronounced dead at the scene

The Miller siblings’ mother, Sarah, described them as “blessings” on social media

“Lord God, please be with my family tonight as we deal with a terrible tragedy,” Spiker’s older brother wrote on social media

All of the victims were residents of Rushville, with the exception of Coufal, who was from the village of Browning

Life Family Church in Virginia, Illinois organized a fundraiser for the Miller family in the wake of the tragedy

The post urged community members to pray for the siblings’ mother, Sarah, who described them as “blessings” on her own Facebook page.

Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly issued a statement encouraging community members to keep the families in their thoughts “as they try to heal.”

“Today’s crash in Rushville is something no parent or family should have to deal with,” Kelly said. “Our hearts ache for the families involved and the community who are feeling this tragic loss.”

Rushville city officials asked residents and business owners to fly flags at half-staff in honor of those killed in the crash.

Those without a flag were encouraged to leave a porch light on to show their support for the victims’ loved ones.