Published: June 30, 2009 11:48 am      

A horrible week of headlines

Last week Hendricks County experienced one tragedy after another, and another, and another ...

I can’t remember a week when we have lost so much — and so much of what might have been, for the majority of the victims were just beginning their lives.

On June 20, an automobile accident took the lives of a young couple with their whole futures ahead of them.

Luke Lovins, 21, of Cloverdale, and Erin Ford, 20, of Coatesville, died when the vehicle they were in was struck head-on by another vehicle that had crossed the median and entered their lane.

Three members of Miss Ford’s family, all passengers in their vehicle, were hospitalized with severe injuries.

That same day, 13-year-old Tyler Hensley died in a mobile home fire, believed to be caused by an overloaded electrical circuit. His mother was injured in the fire as well.

The following day, Angela Warnock, 38, was stabbed to death in her Brownsburg home, while her two daughters apparently watched. Warnock’s estranged husband was arrested and charged with her murder and has pleaded not guilty.

On Wednesday of last week, 16-year-old Kristian Ophof of Brownsburg was killed in another two-vehicle accident. Three others were hospitalized as a result of that crash.

Friday morning brought more tragedy when a two-vehicle accident just outside of Pittsboro claimed the life of 18-year-old Allison Mohney and sent a mother and her two young children to the hospital.

And while the community mourned one loss after another, those who look out for us were already stepping up to the plate.

The Brownsburg Community School Corporation quickly organized counseling at first one and then another of its schools for anyone in the community who might need help coping with any or all of the tragedies.

Brownsburg Fire Territory announced that help would be available to any rescue personnel who may need it. Ryan Miller, public information officer for the department, explained, “This isn’t normal for us. We have a lot of runs, but to have this many serious runs, and so many involving fatalities, it does take a toll on the personnel.”

He said anyone in the department — and in the departments of other towns who worked alongside them in many of these tragedies — who needed someone to talk to would have it.

Maria Larrison with Sheltering Wings Center for Women urged all in the community to become educated on the issues of domestic violence and to contact the shelter to let them know of anyone who may need help.

“We are here for you,” she said.

As a “community newspaper,” we generally have the luxury of reporting on the successes of our neighbors. Honor roll students, outstanding athletes, teachers and professionals who are honored for one thing or another, park land acquisitions, library events, festivals, business expansions, successful fundraisers, and the like usually fill our pages. Those “happy” stories are run alongside the not-so-pretty things in life like robberies, vandalism, and such. But much more often than not, the good news far outweighs the bad.

It was a tough week on our staff here at the Hendricks County Flyer and we’re sure on our readers as well. But our sympathy goes to the many families who lost a loved one last week, and to the police, firefighters, EMTs, hospital staff, and everyone else who has to deal with such things on a regular basis.

Keep these people in your prayers, as well as those who are there to help us pick up the pieces after such tragedies. They really are there for us, and I hope everyone appreciates all that they do.

— Kathy Linton is editor of the Hendricks County Flyer