(WHAS11) - Two children are dead and their mother is in the hospital after an early morning car crash Monday on a snow-covered highway in Meade County.
A recent photo of the family arrived over the weekend in the new parish directory of Michael, his nickname Rance, and Adison with parents Carissa and Michael.
At Payneville Elementary a letter was being prepared to send home but in this small town most already knew.
"In a small community where everyone knows everyone, I wouldn't say it's anymore of a tragedy here but it's felt more deeply because so close knit," said one resident.
Unexpected patches of snow and ice on these narrow Meade country roads made driving this morning dangerous and heartbreaking for those who came upon the wreck.
A road that Carissa Foushee had driven hundreds of times, a bend in the road close to home but it was the ice and snow that made this morning's drive to school fatal.
2-year-old Addie and 6-year-old Rance died there and their mom was flown to University Hospital and the community is now grieving.
Kentucky State Police say Foushee was driving on Highway 144 between Payneville and Rhodelia when she lost control of her SUV, crossed the center line and hit an oncoming commercial truck. Her two children were killed; she was taken to University of Louisville Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The 56-year-old David Barr, driver of the truck, has minor injuries.
"Anytime the snow and sleet start, I think people forget they have to slow down," says State Trooper Brad Riley. "You have to take it slow and even stay in if you have to. It's not worth it."
