Parents Killed, Children Injured In Iowa Crash
Authorities: Family Headed To Los Angeles
Updated: 7:22 pm CDT June 16, 2009
MADISON, Wis. -- Two Madison parents were killed and their three children were injured after a car crash in Iowa during the weekend.
READ: Madison Soccer Community In Shock After Fatal CrashAuthorities said that the crash occurred on Highway 61, north of Maquoketa, in Jackson County, at about 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. The area is about 115 miles southwest of Madison.The Iowa State Patrol said that Henry "Joe" O'Connell, 50, and his wife, Sarah Anne, 44, were taking their children on a two- to three-week vacation to Los Angeles with some stops along the way.Sgt. David Shinker said that the father allowed his 15-year-old daughter -- who recently got her learner's permit -- to drive, saying he thought it would be a good driving experience.The car, with Sarah O'Connell behind the wheel, was traveling south when it apparently drove off the road onto the right shoulder of the four-lane highway. The teen apparently overcorrected and the car flipped several times. Authorities said that everyone except the driver was thrown from the car. The two parents were killed.Sarah O'Connell was the only person wearing a seat belt in the car and was listed in good condition at Mercy Hospital in Dubuque on Tuesday.Her two siblings -- brother Colman, 13, and sister Maeve, 10 -- also remain hospitalized in Iowa.The 13-year-old was listed in good condition at Mercy Hospital Tuesday.On Tuesday, Maeve was in the intensive care unit, in critical but stable condition, at University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.The family is very well known in the soccer community in Madison. Sarah O'Connell played varsity soccer at James Madison Memorial High School and both of her parents were also avid soccer players, playing at the Keva Facility in Middleton for a number of years, WISC-TV reported.Members of the O'Connell's extended family were traveling to the U.S. from Ireland Tuesday.Memorial High School opened Tuesday afternoon for a special gathering for those who knew the family and for grief counseling.A memorial fund has been set up for the O'Connell family at M&I Bank. Donations to the "Joe and Anne O'Connell Family Fund" can be taken to any branch, but those making a donation by check are asked to go to the M&I Bank branch at 7447 University Ave. in Middleton.
READ: Madison Soccer Community In Shock After Fatal CrashAuthorities said that the crash occurred on Highway 61, north of Maquoketa, in Jackson County, at about 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. The area is about 115 miles southwest of Madison.The Iowa State Patrol said that Henry "Joe" O'Connell, 50, and his wife, Sarah Anne, 44, were taking their children on a two- to three-week vacation to Los Angeles with some stops along the way.Sgt. David Shinker said that the father allowed his 15-year-old daughter -- who recently got her learner's permit -- to drive, saying he thought it would be a good driving experience.The car, with Sarah O'Connell behind the wheel, was traveling south when it apparently drove off the road onto the right shoulder of the four-lane highway. The teen apparently overcorrected and the car flipped several times. Authorities said that everyone except the driver was thrown from the car. The two parents were killed.Sarah O'Connell was the only person wearing a seat belt in the car and was listed in good condition at Mercy Hospital in Dubuque on Tuesday.Her two siblings -- brother Colman, 13, and sister Maeve, 10 -- also remain hospitalized in Iowa.The 13-year-old was listed in good condition at Mercy Hospital Tuesday.On Tuesday, Maeve was in the intensive care unit, in critical but stable condition, at University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.The family is very well known in the soccer community in Madison. Sarah O'Connell played varsity soccer at James Madison Memorial High School and both of her parents were also avid soccer players, playing at the Keva Facility in Middleton for a number of years, WISC-TV reported.Members of the O'Connell's extended family were traveling to the U.S. from Ireland Tuesday.Memorial High School opened Tuesday afternoon for a special gathering for those who knew the family and for grief counseling.A memorial fund has been set up for the O'Connell family at M&I Bank. Donations to the "Joe and Anne O'Connell Family Fund" can be taken to any branch, but those making a donation by check are asked to go to the M&I Bank branch at 7447 University Ave. in Middleton. Copyright 2009 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
