Boy dies in collision of truck, church bus

updated 7:16 p.m. ET June 30, 2008

DOTHAN, Ala. - An 11-year-old boy has died from injuries he suffered when the truck he was riding in collided with a church bus from Kentucky, authorities said Monday.

Dothan police identified the boy as Rippin Upton of Columbus, Ga.

Twenty-three people who were on the church bus were taken to local hospitals for treatment after the crash Sunday afternoon in Dothan, police said. 

The accident is still being investigated, but Sgt. Tim Ward said the pickup may have hydroplaned.

A 9-year-old who also was a passenger in the pickup truck was listed in critical condition. The truck's driver was listed as stable, and the conditions of a student and two adults from the church bus weren't immediately known.

"Indications are, right now, that the pickup truck, the driver, lost control of the vehicle, hydroplaned across the median crossover, into the path of the church bus," Ward said. The bus was traveling with two other buses to the beach at Panama City, Fla., for a church camp.

About 80 members of the Lexington church were on the trip. Most of them continued their trip Monday afternoon to the church camp in Panama City, church administrator Charles Olive said.

Richard Grier, minister of students at Centenary, told The Dothan Eagle that the church members appreciated the help they received and were ready to move on.

"The kids are resolved that even though it was a tragic accident, that God is going to be honored through this, and that this is going to teach us and grow us," Grier said.

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