Indiana pastor, mother and daughter killed in car crash after band competition

A tragic accident has killed a pastor, his mother and one of his daughters on Sunday while they were on their way home to Newburgh after attending a national band competition.

David Rinehart, 46, Ruth Ann Rinehart, 74 and Sophie Rineart, 17, were killed in a car crash that happened around 4 a.m. at the 103-mile marker on Interstate 69 in Greene County. Two others were injured in the crash, according to Courier & Press.

David reportedly pulled over into the shoulder of the roadway after he struck a deer while he was driving southbound on the interstate. Mason Hartke, 19, who was also driving southbound, when his pickup truck left the road and went into shoulder, hitting David's car.

The family just attended the Bands of America Grand National Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Saturday. Sophie, who was described as having an "ethereal voice" performed with the Castle High School marching band.

Sophie's 18-year-old sister, Josie, was taken to the Indiana University Health hospital in Bloomington to be treated for her cuts and abrasions. Hartke was also taken to the same hospital for his fractured arm.

The Newburgh community was saddened by the news of the accident. Mark Eifler, the head director of the Castle Marching Band, noted that there were 227 people with the band during their performance.

"They are very much a family. I know they're devastated. She didn't meet anybody that wasn't immediately her friend. The kids adored her," he said of Sophie.

"Telling her to emote was like telling the sun to shine. She just mesmerized the crowd. It was just so incredibly special," he added.

Sophie's voice was considered as the centerpiece of the performance, with the band placing 10th in the competition.

Her father, David, was the worship and music pastor at the Crossroads Christian Church while her grandmother, Ruth Ann, was a retired music teacher at the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp.

Crossroads lead pastor, Patrick Garcia, said that the church was devastated by the tragedy.

"There are no words to describe the pain and shock we all feel. This is one of those moments in life that is extremely difficult to understand," he wrote on Facebook on Sunday.

"We can take comfort knowing that David, Sophie, and Ruth Ann are currently experiencing the joy of Jesus' presence for eternity," he added.