MOM AND 8-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER LOST AFTER GIRL SCOUTS TRIP — 4 CHILDREN CRITICALLY INJURED IN HORRIFIC CRASH

What began as a joyful Girl Scouts outing ended in tragedy when a mother and her young daughter were lost in a devastating collision in Indiana.

Amanda Wertman and her 8-year-old daughter, Michaela, were heading home after a Girl Scouts trip to Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana, when their vehicle was involved in a crash in Pike County on Saturday, Aug. 29.

Four other children were critically injured.

The group had been enjoying what should have been a fun day together.

Instead, families were suddenly waiting for updates from hospitals as investigators began reconstructing what happened on the road.

A TRIP HOME THAT NEVER ENDED

According to PEOPLE, the crash occurred on State Road 64 near County Road 1000 East in Pike County.

Amanda and Michaela were in one of two passenger vehicles involved in the collision.

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

Authorities also said the collision involved a person who was reportedly fleeing from police, according to the Evansville Courier-Press.

That detail has added another disturbing dimension to the investigation.

FOUR CHILDREN WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED

Among those hurt was 8-year-old Oaklie Disney, whose family has publicly shared updates about her condition.

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

Her parents have remained by her side as she undergoes treatment.

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

Amanda’s 5-year-old son, Theodore, was also injured and remained hospitalized as his family tried to cope with the devastating loss of his mother and sister.

TWO FAMILIES NOW NEED HELP

In the aftermath, fundraising efforts were launched for the families.

A fundraiser for Amanda and Michaela’s surviving family members, including Theodore, had raised more than $53,000 toward an $80,000 goal when PEOPLE reported the story.

A separate verified fundraiser for Oaklie’s family had raised more than $17,000 toward a $26,000 goal.

The fundraising campaigns reflect the enormous challenges facing the families — from medical treatment to the emotional and financial burden left behind after the crash.

INVESTIGATORS ARE RECONSTRUCTING THE FINAL MOMENTS

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

The investigation is expected to focus on the sequence of events leading up to the crash, including the reported police pursuit and the actions of the vehicles involved.

For the families, however, the questions are painfully simple.

Why did a family returning from a children’s outing suddenly find themselves caught in such a devastating collision?

Could the crash have been prevented?

And why did a day filled with laughter and memories end with multiple children in hospitals?

Those answers will have to come from investigators.

For now, the families are left mourning Amanda and Michaela while praying for the children who survived.

A Girl Scouts trip that was supposed to end with children returning home with stories to tell instead ended with two lives lost and four young children fighting to recover.

And for everyone who knew Amanda and Michaela, the hardest part may be knowing that they were simply on their way home.