By By MARCIA STEFFENS and Randi K. Pickley / Edwardsburg Argus
EDWARDSBURG - Tragedy struck Tuesday morning the Edwardsburg community as families began their morning routine.
A misjudgement on the part of a young driver ended in her own fatality and injured her passenger, Samantha M. Schlut, both were Edwardsburg High School 16-year-olds on their way to school.
Ashley M. Qualls, 16, who was killed, was westbound on U.S. 12, attempting to pass a semi, also traveling west on U.S. 12.
A pickup truck, driven by Brian Donath, was eastbound on U.S. 12 who attempted to avoid being hit by the first vehicle, but the pickup was struck in the driver's side.
Brian Donath and Schlutt, were both taken to Elkhart General Hospital, Elkhart, Ind. Schlutt remained in serious but stable condition at press time.
Ontwa Township/Edwardsburg Police Department is still investigating the two-vehicle fatal accident that occurred at 6:49 a.m. Tuesday morning on U.S. 12 at Eagle Lake Road.
Drugs and intoxicating liquor are not considered to be a factor in the accident at this time.
Upon learning of the accident, the Edwardsburg School administration immediately began preparing how to tell and comfort the students, putting their crisis team in place.
They waited for notification of the families before releasing the name of the girls.
The students were assembled that afternoon.
David Zesh, high school principal said, "We lost an awfully good kid, a wonderful young lady. She was in choir and an athlete who enjoyed softball. How do words describe this? It's been an emotional time for us. The student body fully supports the family."
Eileen Toni said, "My daughter and Ashley were in little league together. I remember Ashley standing on the softball field, she and my husband trading jokes back and forth. He had a pet name for her. She was selected as homecoming queen. She was fun loving and entertaining. She always had a smile on her face. Her death affects everyone. She had a passion for softball and she had a passion for life."
Marcia Marshke, mother of Ashley's volleyball teammate Bethany, remembered Ashley was a strong person who stood her ground. She was very comfortable with adults, always saying hi to the parents.
Nicole Cartwright, JV softball coach for two years said Ashley was a joy to have on the team. "All the girls felt a connection with her. She was liked by everyone on the team. The last week or two she seemed really happy, certainly happy to be back at softball. We saw this spark in her. She was always fun to be around, always cracking jokes, kind of goofy sometimes just having fun. We had a pet name for her; everyone on the softball team called her 'Birdie.' She was a real team player, always willing to do what she needed to do to make the team successful," Cartwright said.
The obituary and funeral arrangements for Ashley are inside on page two.