A devastating crash in Pike County, Indiana, has left two people dead and four juveniles critically injured after a collision Saturday evening, August 29, 2026, on State Road 64 near County Road 1000 East. The tragedy has drawn widespread concern as families and community members rally around the children who survived.
Among those injured was 8-year-old Oaklie, a third-grade student who was returning home from a Girl Scout trip to Holiday World when the crash occurred. According to her family, Oaklie was flown to Louisville Children’s Hospital and suffered brain bleeds. Her condition was described as stable, although she remains hospitalized for monitoring and treatment.
Oaklie’s school, Otwell Miller Academy, has rallied around the young student and her family. School officials asked students and community members to keep Oaklie in their thoughts and prayers and encouraged everyone to wear blue, her favorite color, as a show of support.
The crash also claimed the lives of Amanda Wertman and her 8-year-old daughter, Michaela, according to family members who identified the victims. Authorities initially reported that two people had died and four juveniles had been critically injured.
Amanda’s 5-year-old son, Theodore, was also among those injured and remained hospitalized, according to reports from people close to the family. Fundraising efforts have been established to help with his medical expenses and to support his family during the difficult recovery.
The heartbreaking circumstances have brought particular attention to the fact that several of the children had been returning from a Girl Scout outing. What was supposed to be a joyful trip to Holiday World instead ended with multiple families facing devastating loss and serious injuries.
Another injured child, identified by family supporters as Amelia, was reportedly flown for specialized medical treatment. The conditions of the injured children may change as they continue receiving care, and families have asked for support during the recovery process.
Indiana State Police are investigating the crash. Authorities have said two passenger vehicles were involved, but the precise circumstances that led to the collision have not yet been fully established. Crash reconstruction investigators are working to determine what happened before the vehicles collided.
The tragedy has sent shock waves through the Pike County community, where residents are now supporting both the grieving families and the children fighting to recover from their injuries. Fundraisers and school-led efforts have provided ways for members of the community to offer financial assistance, prayers and encouragement.
For Oaklie’s family, the immediate focus remains on her recovery. Her mother has shared updates about her condition while the young Girl Scout continues treatment in the hospital. The community’s decision to wear blue in her honor has become a visible reminder that she is not facing the difficult days ahead alone.
The August 29 crash remains an ongoing investigation, and additional details could emerge as Indiana State Police complete their reconstruction of the collision. For now, Pike County is left mourning Amanda and Michaela while hoping for recovery for Oaklie and the other injured children.
The tragedy has transformed what began as a Girl Scout outing into a painful reminder of how quickly a normal journey home can change lives. Families, classmates and community members are now standing together, grieving those who were lost and praying for the children who continue to fight their way back to health.
