Hundreds come to remember combine crash victims

ATTICA, Ind. (WLFI) - Hundreds of community members came out Thursday evening to say a final farewell to three members of the same family killed in a car crash last week.

Daniel Fox, wife Stacy and daughter Demara, 16, were killed Oct. 31 when a combine crashed into their minivan on State Road 25.  

"Today is a tough day," said Daniel's son-in-law Jonathan Duncan.

He speaks for all gathered at the Attica High School Auxiliary Gym Thursday.  Community members stopped by in groups of twos and threes and sometimes a lot larger.

"It's very overwhelming," Duncan said.  "The community of Attica has reached out really to take care of their own here."

There were pictures of each of the deceased Fox members along with closed caskets inside the gym. Duncan remembers Daniel as a hunter, fisherman and golfer. Stacy was a friendly stay-at-home mom. Demara was a smart, artistic girl who taught herself to speak Japanese and to draw anime.

"It hasn't gotten any easier, but reality is setting in," said Duncan.

Sisters Demetria, 17, and Dakota, 13, are still at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. Demi has some broken bones.  Dakota is healing from a small brain injury.

"We're happy that Demi and Dakota are doing well," Duncan said.  "It's going to be tough for them, but I think they are going to be okay."

The girls will be moving in with Duncan's family in Lafayette when they are released from the hospital.
    
Meanwhile, he has been working to clean out the Fox's rental home in Attica driving by the crash site on State Road 25 several times. He and his family have stopped and taken pictures to remember. Eight days later and it looks about the same as it did before the crash.

"It's very sobering seeing the area out there," said Duncan.

Witnesses at the time told sheriff's deputies they don't think the combine, driven by 36-year-old Carl McFarland of West Point, stopped at the stop sign. Duncan said the family has forgiven McFarland and, if it ever goes to trial, doesn't want to see him go to jail.

"It was a tragic accident," Duncan said. "It really could have happened to anyone. Myself or the family, don't hold him personally responsible."

On behalf of the family, Duncan thanked everyone in the community for all their support. As for the Fox family, eight days may have helped reality set in, but it still isn't easy.

"It's just day by day," Duncan said.

The visitation at the school lasted from 5 until 8 p.m. There's a private graveside memorial planned for Friday.

The public is welcome to attend a fundraising event for the family at the Attica Eagles Club on Nov. 24.