MOTHER AND 8-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER LOST ON THE WAY HOME FROM GIRL SCOUTS TRIP — 4 CHILDREN INJURED

What was supposed to be a fun trip to a theme park ended in tragedy when a mother and her young daughter were lost in a collision while their family was traveling home.

Amanda Wertman and her 8-year-old daughter, Michaela, were involved in the devastating crash Saturday, Aug. 29, in Pike County, Indiana.

The family had been returning from a Girl Scouts trip to Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana, when their vehicle was involved in a collision with another passenger vehicle.

Four children were seriously injured in the incident, according to authorities.

A FAMILY TRIP THAT ENDED IN TRAGEDY

The outing had been a special day for the children.

Instead of returning home with memories of a fun Girl Scouts trip, the family was suddenly facing a medical emergency and an unimaginable loss.

Indiana State Police said crash reconstruction investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Authorities also reported that the other vehicle involved was connected to a person who was reportedly fleeing from police.

The investigation remains ongoing.

FOUR CHILDREN ARE STILL RECOVERING

Among those injured was 8-year-old Oaklie Disney.

Her mother, Elizabeth, told local media that the group had been traveling home from the Girl Scouts outing when the collision occurred.

Oaklie suffered two brain bleeds and was receiving treatment at Louisville Children’s Hospital.

Her parents have remained by her side as she continues to recover.

Three other children were also critically injured, although their identities have not been publicly released.

A FAMILY NOW FACING TWO DIFFERENT BATTLES

Amanda’s 5-year-old son, Theodore, was also injured and remains part of the family’s recovery journey.

A fundraiser created for the Wertman family is helping relatives deal with the enormous emotional and practical burden following the tragedy.

Another fundraiser has been established to support Oaklie’s family as she receives specialized medical care.

The support from friends, relatives and members of the community has continued to grow.

INVESTIGATORS ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS

Indiana State Police crash reconstruction investigators are working to establish exactly what happened on State Road 64 at County Road 1000 East.

The circumstances involving the other vehicle, including the reported police pursuit, are expected to form part of the investigation.

For the families, however, the questions are deeply personal.

A mother and daughter who had spent the day with loved ones were suddenly gone, while four children were left facing serious injuries.

A simple journey home from a Girl Scouts trip became a heartbreaking tragedy — leaving two families praying for recovery while investigators work to understand how the collision happened.