Remembering Reed

While local, state and federal investigators sort out who the 23-year-old driver of the van really is, and just how the deadly crash happened, those who knew the four Lakeview students who died are still trying to sort out their feelings. 

KELOLAND News talked with the baby-sitter of 12-year-old Reed Stevens about the loss of the young lives. 

As the Lakeview school bus laid on it's side, you could see the seriousness of the crash, even from a distance. But it hit close to home for many in Southwestern Minnesota following word that four students had died. 

Reed Stevens' babysitter Alisson Schultz says, "Even here in Marshall you can't find someone that hasn't been affected or had a friend or relative that's been affected." 

Alisson Schultz of Marshall is one of those people who has been affected by this crash. For six years, she babysat for 12-year-old Reed Stevens and his three siblings. 

Schultz says, "He really liked playing basketball, we'd play all the kids against me." 

Schultz says she first heard Reed was one of the students who died within hours of the crash. 

Schultz says, "When I heard I was from Cottonwood I thought about their family right away and thought oh it wasn't them, then I got home and found out it was and it's heartbreaking." 

Heartbreaking to know a family she goes to church with and babysits for is one that has suffered a great loss. A loss that is hitting close to home. 

Schultz says, "With him going to my church and knowing their family I know that he's in a better place now." 

Schultz says she last talked with Reed a few Sunday's ago at church and he was getting ready to go to Australia this summer as part of a science trip.