WILLS POINT -- Every campus in the Wills Point School District was affected by the deaths of five family members killed on their way to a dream vacation at Disney World, said Superintendent Suzanne Blasengame Friday morning.
Michael and Trudi Hardman, their 15-year-old son Dakota, 7-year-old-son Adam, and 4-year-old daughter Kaci, were all killed while driving through Louisiana late Wednesday night.
One of the children who survived the crash is a sixth grader at Wills Point Middle School where his mother also teaches. He suffered a head injury in the crash. He is still being treated at a Shreveport hospital as the town mourns the deaths of his father, stepmother and siblings.
Trudi Hardman taught kindergarten at Wills Point Primary School. Blasengame said district employees personally called each of her students' parents to break the news of her death. Counselors and ministers were also available for grieving children at the schools.
Michael Hardman was an elementary school teacher in Terrell, but previously taught in Wills Point, so many students and staff members knew him as well.
Blasengame said everyone is devastated, but trying their best to support the family. She noted that several funds have been set up to help with expenses. She went to Louisiana Thursday to comfort surviving family members.
"It's a family. We are a family in this school district," Blasengame said. " And just like any other family, you may not always agree. You may not always get along, but you pull together in times of crisis."
Blasengame said the still hospitalized student is responsive and the family is hopeful that his condition will continue to improve over the weekend. Two other boys, including the Hardman's 16-year-old son who was driving, have been released from the hospital.
"Our hearts are broken," she said. "It's very difficult. We have to hold onto each other. This a community that has a strong faith."
State troopers in Louisiana suspect the driver may have fallen asleep prior to the crash. It remains under investigation.
