What started as a routine day ended tragically for a 15-year-old female Appalachian student identified by parents as Carmen Lopez. According to a close family friend, Lopez and her cousin were headed to board the bus when a driver –  now identified by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency as Tyler Gillian, 31, of Oneonta – was unable to stop in time when he saw the flashing signs of the bus. The 2004 Nissan Frontier Gillian was driving veered into the gravel area in front of Tip Top One Stop before losing control and crossing the road. The truck struck Lopez before coming to rest on the front porch of the teen's home. The bus, carrying eight students, was not involved in the accident.

Lopez was pronounced deceased at the scene. The accident, which occurred four miles north of Ashville on U.S. 231 near mile marker 245 at the Blount/St. Clair County line, continues to be investigated by ALEA. No further information is available from their agency at this time regarding the 7:15 a.m. accident.

According to Lopez's father, his daughter was a very good child. She studied hard, did well in school, and had aspirations of becoming an architect. She loved working on her laptop. The father said his daughter loved life, had many friends, was greatly loved, and will be terribly missed by everyone. Lopez has two siblings, ages 3 and soon-to-be 6 months, who will never really know their older sister who had a positive influence on others. Her father bragged on what a great sister Lopez was and how she always helped with the children.

Carmen will be coming home on Wednesday October 11, 2023. Services will be updated asap.

As of late afternoon Oct. 5, the family continues to be in shock about this tragedy and are trying to cope as best as possible. Although concrete plans have not been confirmed, the family plans to have their daughter transported to Immokalee, Fla., where numerous family members reside. They will later decide if her final resting place will be in Immokalee or Guatemala.

Blount County Schools Superintendent Rodney Green issued the following statement earlier today.

"It is with a heavy and broken heart that we share the news of a devastating, tragic accident at a bus stop this morning that took the life of one of our students at Appalachian School. This is certainly one of the most difficult things that our school and our community has had to face.

"Appalachian School is a close-knit community school that loves and supports its students, and our thoughts and prayers go out to them. I want to thank our first responders, our community members, counselors, and employees for their assistance with the families involved and with our students impacted at the school. Thanks for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support for the family, our school, and our community, and please remember them in the difficult days ahead."

As the day has progressed, many have asked what they can do to help the family. Allman Farms has assisted in setting up an account at People's Bank of Alabama for donations. You can stop by any location to make donations or you may stop by Allman Farms and Orchards to contribute. The account at People's Bank is set up as Destiny Allman for Juan Sanchez. There is a PayPal account under the name @4CarmenLopez that can be used for donations as well. Anyone with questions
may call Destiny at 205-493-1080.

The family has witnessed an outpouring of support throughout the day and is grateful for the love and prayers others have shown during this tragic and devastating loss.

There will be a funeral mass on Thursday October 12, 2023 at Our lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church 10am and a viewing Thursday night on the 12th at Brister Funeral home chapel from 6-8 pm. Burial will be at graveside Friday October 13, 2023 10am. Yes we are doing it backwards due to church availability.