Youth Pastors and Baby Killed as Barrier Falls on Their Truck in Washington

A couple and their baby were killed on Monday in Bonney Lake, Washington, when a concrete barrier from a road construction project fell on their truck.

Police identified the victims as youth pastors Josh, 25, and Vanessa Ellis, 29, and their eight-month-old baby boy, Hudson. The couple were members of the Foursquare Church of Puyallup.

The accident happened on Angeline Road and State Route 410 in Bonney Lake.

Mayor Neil Johnson said an investigation is being conducted on the road accident.

"To see such promising lives cut short— a father, mother and young son—lives serving and loving the youth of our community gives us deep sorrow. We trust God that they are in a better place. Many of those working around and responding to this tragedy are deeply impacted by this loss. Our heart goes out as well to all those who remain behind to bear this sorrow," he said.

The City of Bonney Lake said the one-half mile construction project involved the widening of the bridge to provide a walkway for pedestrians and cyclists.

It said it awarded the project to WHH Nisqually Federal Services, LLC, last December.

A demolition plan was part of the project wherein the bridge will be disassembled in pieces by saw cutting the concrete.

"The contract expressly requires the contractor to protect traffic from falling concrete and debris while demolition is being performed. We are still looking into whether the demolition plan was followed. The contractor's schedule did not indicate that bridge demolition would be occurring on April 13," Mayor Johnson said in a statement.

Johnson has ordered a temporary suspension of the project.

"We need time to complete our investigation, but more importantly we need to show respect to the family and friends of the victims. Construction of the pedestrian improvements remains a very important step in improving the safety of the traveling public in this area, and work will resume in the near future," he said.