FORNEY, Texas — The Forney community is in mourning after police say a “tragic accident” claimed the life of a 14-year-old Forney High School softball player on Tuesday night.
FORNEY, Texas — The Forney community is in mourning after police say a “tragic accident” claimed the life of a 14-year-old Forney High School softball player on Tuesday night.
The softball team had gathered for a team dinner the night before they were scheduled to play in the Regional Semi-Finals of the UIL Class 5A Region 2 playoffs.
Police say the gathering turned tragic just before 8 p.m. when team members were loading up in a Jeep in the driveway of the home in the 13600 block of Hollow Creek Drive — just outside the city limits of Forney.
“A 14-year-old girl was accidentally run over by a vehicle,” Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jolie Stewart confirmed to inForney.com. “It’s a very tragic accident.”
Stewart says those injuries proved fatal.
The 14-year-old was transported to a Dallas-area hospital in critical condition but was later pronounced deceased.
Police say the family has been notified and identified the 14-year-old victim as Emily Galiano.
Students are planning a group prayer tomorrow morning at Forney High School’s indoor training facility — many of whom reflected on Galiano’s sweet demeanor and beautiful heart on social media Tuesday night.
Due to the number of people at the household during the team dinner, the Forney Independent School District sent school counselors and campus administrators directly to the home. Several area chaplains and a crisis response team also responded to the home for grief counseling.
Counselors will also be made available for students in the coming days.
The team's Wednesday night playoff game has been postponed.
This is a developing story.
Statement from Forney Independent School District Superintendent Suzie McWilliams:
Dear Forney Students, Parents and Community Members –
As many of you have heard, our Forney ISD family suffered a great loss on Tuesday evening, May 16. One of our students at Forney High School lost their life due to injuries sustained in a tragic incident involving a car. As you can imagine, this is a very difficult time for many here in our community and in our school district as we are all deeply saddened by this tragic event.
Situations like this are always very difficult to deal with and understandably, our students may suffer greatly. Many of them will struggle with this loss for a very long time. No doubt you will be caring and comforting with your children over the next few days or weeks. We encourage you to also be alert to signs that your child may be having a difficult time coping with this devastating news. Please know that we have set up a counseling center at the Forney High School Library for our students and teachers. In addition, we have counselors on all of our campuses who are highly trained in helping students through situations like this. If you and/or your child would like to talk with someone, please do not hesitate to contact one of our counselors for help.
When times are at their worst, the people of our Forney community always prove to be at their best. I want to thank all the first responders and all the youth pastors and churches who have reached out to help. And to the City of Forney for ensuring that our counseling center was stocked with tissues and water, we sincerely thank you. And to all of who have offered prayers, help and support, we appreciate you more than you can know. I thank you all for your patience and understanding during this very difficult situation and ask that you please continue to lift this family and all those touched by this tragedy up in prayer.
Statement from Forney ISD:
On Tuesday evening, May 16, our Forney ISD family suffered a great loss. One of our students from Forney High School passed away from injuries suffered in an unfortunate incident involving a vehicle. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the family during this very difficult time.
A prayer vigil was held for students and staff at Forney High School this morning and there will be additional counselors at the school today and throughout the remainder of the week.
The Forney High School softball playoff game scheduled for tonight against Mansfield Lakeridge has been postponed. A new date and time has not been set at this time.
Please keep our student and the family in your heart and in your prayers.
Hard to fathom... Rest In Peace to Emily and my sincere condolences to her family, friends, and the Forney softball community. So so sad.
— Lauren Chamberlain (@LChamberlain44) May 17, 2017