According to the Kentucky State Police, a vehicle being driven by Joseph Ishmael Grant, 87, of Leitchfield, was backing out of the church parking lot when it apparently accelerated and struck James Tim Pierce, 41, of Leitchfield, and his two children, Katie Beth, 6, and Ethan, 4, who were all standing outside of their vehicle, which was parked.
Pierce's wife and the childrens' mother, Jackie Hamand Pierce, a first grade teacher at Wilkey Elementary School, was standing nearby but was not physically injured.
After Grant's vehicle struck Pierce, his children and their vehicle, it came to rest in the roadway on West Walnut Street facing northwest, reports said.
The Pierce's vehicle came to rest facing southeast in the church parking lot.
Katie Beth and Ethan Pierce were airlifted to Kosair's in Louisville, where Katie Beth was pronounced dead.
Ethan was listed in stable condition, the result of his father reportedly shielding him with his own body from the impact of the pickup truck.
James T. Pierce was airlifted to to University Hospital in Louisville, where he was listed in critical condition.
Grant was reportedly not seriously injured. Fr. Randy Howard of St. Joseph's said a bystander rushed across West Walnut to Emergency Medical Services almost as the accident occurred, and "their response was immediate."
Wilkey Principal Matt Deneen said counseling services for both teachers and students at the school will be provided through the coming days. He said Katie Beth, "a bright student full of spirit," was in her mother's class.
He said counselors from both the school district and the Green River Educational Cooperative were available. In a letter sent home Monday with students, Deneen asked parents to "be honest in answering questions, and keep life as normal as possible."
The collision occurred as parishioners were leaving Mass, and KSP investigator Norman Chaffins issued no citations as a result of the accident.
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