10 Killed, Including 9 Kids, In Crash Involving Girls Ranch Car

BUTLER COUNTY, AL — Ten people, including nine children, were killed in a car crash on Interstate 65 in Butler County, Alabama, during Tropical Storm Claudette Saturday afternoon. A number of the victims were apparently affiliated with a foster home for girls coming from abusive or abandonment situations, according to a report from AL.com.

The nine children who died ranged in age from 9 months to teenagers, the report states. The victims hadn't been identified as of Sunday morning, as families continued to be notified.

Severe storms that rolled through Alabama and other Southern states caused the wreck, which involved hydroplaning, AL.com reported, citing Butler County Coroner Wayne Garlock. Garlock told the news outlet a father and 9-month-old girl were killed in one of the cars, as the eight other fatal victims were in a Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch car.

The girls ranch is a foster home for girls coming from abusive or abandonment situations and is supported by the sheriffs of Lee, Chambers and Tallapoosa counties, the report states.

“Our hearts are heavy today," the Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch posted on Facebook Saturday. "Our ranch has suffered great loss. As some of you may have hear, one of our ranch vehicles was involved in a multiple car accident this afternoon. Please send prayers our way as we navigate this difficult time.”

Butler County Sheriff Danny Bond said multiple people were also injured, according to The Associated Press. The National Transportation Safety Board said Sunday it will investigate the crash.

The storm, Tropical Depression Claudette, also claimed two lives in Tuscaloosa on Saturday. A 24-year-old man and a 3-year-old boy were killed Saturday when a tree fell on their house just outside the Tuscaloosa city limits, according to the AP report.

The tropical storm has since moved toward the East Coast, and Claudette is expected to gain strength, according to The USA Today. It has already caused widespread damage in Louisiana, southern Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Florida, and has spawned at least one tornado, Weather.com reported.