Girl, 13, and brother, 12, die within days of each other after siblings were hit by car while riding their bikes

A TEENAGE girl has died five days after a horrific crash which also killed her younger brother. Karalee Shepard, 13, and Calvin Shepard, 12, were riding their bicycles when a Ford Explorer SUV struck both of them in Michigan on September 5. Karalee Shepard was pronounced dead in hospital days after she and her brother were struck by a SUV in Michigan Credit: Jam Press/@raquel.roarkshepard Calvin Shepard, 12, has been described as a “boy who approached life head-on” Credit: Jam Press/@raquel.roarkshepard The fatal collision happened in a small area called Leroy Township in the Wolverine State, at around 11:35am, according to state troopers. The SUV was reportedly cruising westbound on Grand River Avenue before it hit the two children riding along the shoulder of the road. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Calvin died at the scene while his older sister was rushed to a nearby hospital with severe head injuries. The driver was a 64-year-old woman who remained on the scene of the crash and is not injured, according to cops. An investigation is still ongoing. No charges or arrests have been announced. State troopers also confirmed that Karalee and Calvin had been wearing helmets at the time. Theemother, Raquel Roark Shepard, said on Thursday, September 10 that Karalee had died five days after her brother. Most read in The Sun Raquel said: “It’s with the heaviest of hearts that we share that our sweet Karalee passed away peacefully from complications resulting from the accident that took her brother Calvin five days ago.” The father Cody Shepard said that “we are overwhelmed by the love and support being shown to our family by friends and complete strangers” Credit: Jam Press/Lansing Stake/Cody Shepard Calvin’s family said that he loved football, basketball, and swimming, and gave the best hugs Credit: Jam Press/@raquel.roarkshepard A funeral will be held for both Karalee and Calvin on September 12 Credit: Jam Press/@raquel.roarkshepard “She was surrounded by her family and deeply loved until her final breath.” “Our hearts are broken beyond what we can put into words.” “We find comfort in knowing that Karalee and Calvin are together again and in the loving arms of our Saviour. A joint funeral will be held for both of them on Saturday, September 12. Chris Hilgendorf, a friend and a secretary for the church to which the Shepards belong, has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to help with personal, funeral, and emergency medical costs. At the time of this report, donations have surged past its target of £88,866, raising nearly £104,000. Cody, the children’s father, had expressed gratitude to those who have offered support at this difficult time. He said: “We are overwhelmed by the love and support being shown to our family by friends, and even complete strangers who have seen our tragedy and felt moved to help.” “We feel the power of your prayers sustaining us beyond what seems humanly possible to bear.” The number of fatal car crashes in Michigan went down by five-point-two per cent, according to Michigan Auto Law. Michigan State Police are currently investigating the circumstances around the crash involving the two children. Comment now