The Roth Report

Special Report 3:

Schrock Tragedy in WA

Saturday, November 5, 2005

emailed around 3:00 p.m. Pacific

Washington State Patrol investigators still do not know why a driver crossed the median and hit the Schrock family truck, killing the five children.

     Cliff Helm is still in the hospital and WSP's Criminal Investigation Unit wants to talk to him. Detectives say after Helm veered off Highway 395, his pickup went about 1600 feet before hitting the Schrock family. Experts believe he drove the wrong way on the southbound shoulder, swerving off the road once and regaining control before impact. They have, however, ruled out alcohol or medical problems.

     The funeral for the five Schrock children will be Monday at 10AM, at Calvary Chapel on Hastings Road in North Spokane. To help the family with Jeff's Schrock's medical bills, you can send donations to the Pine Grove Mennonite Church - Jeff Schrock Fund, 2784-A Clarke Road, Chewelah, Washington, 99109. [KXLY; 11/4]

The community continues to reach out to support the Chewelah family devastated by the loss of five children in a head-on collision earlier this week.

     Sacred Heart Medical Center says the children's father, Jeffrey Schrock, is showing improvement. Although he's listed in serious condition, doctors say he is now stablizing.

     In addition to his furniture-making business, Jeffrey Schrock delivered products to area Avon representatives. Those reps now are joining together to donate proceeds from one of their products to the Schrock family fund. Also, at Prospectors restaurant, which is near the crash scene, customers can buy paper angels, which will hang inside the lobby. All proceeds from angel sales will go to the Schrock family. [KXLY; 11/5]

Hundreds of family and Mennonite church members from the United States and Canada are expected to attend the funeral Monday morning for five children of former Halsey-area residents Jeffrey and Carolyn Birky Schrock.

     Jeffrey Schrock suffered severe injuries, including a broken skull, jaw, sternum, both arms and pelvis and damage to both kneecaps, according to his uncle, John Schrock.

     Washington State Trooper Jeffrey Sevigney said investigators interviewed Helm but did not learn anything about the cause of the accident. No citations had been issued as of Friday morning. Sevigney said there were no indications that alcohol, drugs, speed or aggressive driving were involved. Sevigney said it had been raining much of Tuesday, but was unclear if weather had been a factor in the crash. [Corvallis Gazette-Times; 11/5]

A source close to the family told me that Jeffrey's father (Jason Schrock) to a police officer who was at the scene of the accident. This officer told Jason that all of the children were strapped in and that Jeffrey would not be facing charges. [Mark Roth]