An 8-year-old Girl Scout is recovering in a pediatric intensive care unit after being seriously injured in a devastating crash in Pike County, Indiana, that killed two people and critically injured four juveniles.
The crash happened Saturday night, August 29, 2026, at State Road 64 and County Road 1000 East. Indiana State Police are investigating the collision, which left the roadway closed while authorities worked at the scene. Two people were killed, while four juveniles were critically injured and transported for medical treatment.
One of the injured children has been identified by family and community members as 8-year-old Oaklie. Her mother, Elizabeth, told 14 News that Oaklie was in the pediatric ICU following the crash and had suffered brain bleeds. Although the injuries were serious, Oaklie was reported to be in stable condition.
According to her mother, Oaklie and the other girls had been returning home from a Girl Scout trip to Holiday World when the crash occurred. The circumstances of the collision remain under investigation, and authorities have not yet released a complete account of what led to the deadly wreck.
Oaklie’s recovery is expected to take time. Her mother said the young girl has experienced vomiting and double vision and will need to wear a cervical collar for several weeks after leaving the hospital. She has also been diagnosed with cranial nerve 6 palsy.
The accident has brought an immediate wave of support from the local community. Otwell Miller Academy, where Oaklie is a third-grade student, asked people to keep the child and her family in their thoughts and prayers. The school also encouraged students and community members to wear blue in her honor, as blue is Oaklie’s favorite color.
An online fundraiser has also been established to help Oaklie’s family with medical bills and travel expenses connected to her treatment. The fundraising effort had already attracted widespread attention and support from members of the community.
While the focus remains on Oaklie’s recovery, the tragedy has also left families mourning the two people who died and worrying about the other young victims. The full circumstances of the crash, including the identities of all those involved and any potential contributing factors, remain subject to the ongoing investigation.
For Oaklie’s family, the days ahead will be centered on her recovery and the long road ahead. Friends, classmates and community members are rallying around the young Girl Scout, offering prayers, encouragement and practical support as she continues treatment.
The crash serves as another painful reminder of how quickly an ordinary family outing can turn into a life-changing tragedy. For the Pike County community, attention now remains focused on supporting the injured children and their families while investigators work to establish exactly what happened on State Road 64 that night.
