Two killed and three critically injured in Centerville accident

The hallways and classrooms were quite and subdued at the Centerville School on Friday morning, May 8, after news of a horrific accident spread across the campus. Principal Bob Loomis came on the public address system and updated the students and faculty on the condition of the injured. "Scotty is in his second surgery and is responding to nurses. Loren is in surgery and is responding. Alex is doing the best and has been able to talk."

All this was in response to a one car crash which oc curred at 3:35 p.m. on May 7 on the I-45 feeder road. Nineteen year old Carl James Rippley, a senior at Centerville High, was driving a 2004 Toyota Tacoma, with an extended cab. His friends Stephanie Ann Fowler (23), Scotty Johnson, also 19 and a senior at CHS, his sisters Alexandria Ripley, 14 and in the 8th grade at Centerville and Lauren Rippley, 15 and in the 9th grade at CHS, were all in the pickup with him. They were headed towards the Rippley home after school.

The truck was southbound on the south feeder road when the vehicle drove into the west bar ditch, overcorrected, and then drove back across the roadway and struck a tree in the median.

Carl and Stephanie were declared dead at the scene by Judge Keeling (Precinct 2). Both bodies were taken to Walter's Funeral Home.

Scotty and Alex were lifeflighted to Scott & White Hospital in Temple and Lauren was taken to Fairfield Hospital before being transferred to Scott & White. All three remain in critical condition.

Centerville Superintendent Cathy Nichols expressed grief and concern for those killed and injured as well as the students who must deal with the situation. "The Region VI Crisis Recovery Team is on campus today to talk with the students and help them process the tragedy. Some students are concerned about the Rippley family finances and have begun a collection to help with the medical expenses. This is a single mom and all three of her children were involved in the accident."