UNDATED (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Authorities on Monday released the names of seven Virginians and a Wisconsin man who were killed when their van collided with a semi-trailer in western Wisconsin. A 2-year-old child was the only survivor.
The people in the van were from two families from a small Amish community located in Tazewell County. The van’s driver was James K. McCoy, 46. The 7 family members killed in the crash were Linda Byler, 44; Lydia Byler, 24; Orla Schrock, 24; Ellen Schrock, 23; Delila Schrock, 21; Suzanna Hertzler, 18; and a 6-month-old child died at the scene of Friday morning’s crash at an intersection in the rural community of Dewhurst, WI.
The semi-trailer driver, 51-year-old Daniel Liddicoat of Rewey, Wisconsin, was also pronounced dead at the scene.
“The van was going northbound and there was a stop sign there,” sheriff’s office Chief Deputy James Hirsch said. “The semi was going east and the van pulled right out in front of the semi.”
The 2-year-old was among seven victims ejected from the van by the crash, about 50 miles southeast of Eau Claire. Nathaniel Jahn says he pulled the toddler from the wreckage after witnessing the crash.
Jahn, who first gave his account to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, said he feels like he was at the intersection at that moment for a reason. “To be able to find that little boy and, maybe ease some passing along the way,” Jahn said.
Neighbors of the people inside the van have set up a GoFundMe page to help the Schrock and Byler families, as well the rest of the Amish Community, which could see several hundred attend the funeral, which is traditionally followed by a meal.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
