Driver convicted of hitting, killing three children released from prison
FULTON COUNTY, Ind. (Fort Wayne’s NBC and WNDU) - The woman who is convicted of hitting and killing three siblings and seriously injuring another student in a 2018 crash has been released from prison.
Fulton County Prosecutor Michael Marrs confirmed Alyssa Shepherd’s release with Fort Wayne’s NBC affiliate 16 News Now, indicating she will serve roughly three years of home detention while wearing a GPS-monitoring ankle bracelet followed by three years of probation. She was released from prison early Wednesday morning.
“We obviously wanted more time, executed at the time of sentencing, the judge sentenced her to what he did, which was a 10-year sentence with four years executed, and then she got the time cut,” explained Marrs.
Marrs said Shepherd completed a course through the Indiana Department of Corrections that sliced six months off her original sentence.
“I know for the family, you know, it’s very painful and disheartening, and, you know, their kids are, are gone forever, at least from this earth,” he said.
Twins Mason and Xzavier Ingle and their older sister, Alivia Stahl, were killed on October 30th, 2018 while Maverik Lowe has had 24 surgeries due to Shepherd’s illegally passing their school bus.
“It’s kind of divided the community because some people feel that we’ve criminalized an accident. And, my position has always been, I have no doubt that it was an accident. The problem is, it was a reckless accident. And if it’s reckless, it’s criminal,” Marrs remarked.
The wreck triggered new legislation in Indiana, toughening penalties for drivers who ignore bus stop arms. Communities across Indiana — including several in the Fort Wayne’s NBC News viewing area — implemented additional crackdowns on traffic violations related to school bus stops.
Shepherd’s driver’s license is suspended until 2032, according to Marrs. 16 News Now reached out to Shepherd’s lawyer and is awaiting a response.
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