A woman and two small children were killed in a horrific two-vehicle accident last Wednesday evening on Tapps Ridge Road just east of Vevay. The accident occurred at approximately 4:06 p.m. on Wednesday, and involved two vehicles, a van and a Bronco. It happened near where Harry Tapp Road intersects with Tapps Ridge.
Switzerland County Sheriff Nathan Hughes said that the accident is still under investigation by his department with the assistance of the Indiana State Police, and he gave no timeline for the completion of the investigation.
Responding to a 911 emergency call, officers arrived at the scene to find eight victims in the two vehicles. Six of the victims were riding in the van at the time of the accident; while the Bronco contained two victims.
Nina Nacole Craig, age 21, of Bliss Lane, riding in the van, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Switzerland County Coroner’s Department. Also pronounced dead at the scene was Nina Craig’s three-year-old son, Devin Lee Anderson.
With critically injured persons at the scene, Aircare medical helicopters from University Hospital in Cincinnati were called in.
Jada Nacole Craig, 10-month old daughter of Nina Craig, was airlifted to Childrens Hospital in Cincinnati, where she later died.
Derrick Anderson, companion of Nina Craig and the father of Devin Anderson and Jada Craig, was also airlifted from the scene to University Hospital in Cincinnati. As of 5 p.m. Monday afternoon, he was still in a coma at University Hospital.
Derrick Craig, six-year-old son of Nina Craig and Derrick Anderson, was transported to King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison, and then was transferred to Kosair Childrens Hospital in Louisville. As of Monday afternoon, the hospital reported that he had been moved out of Intensive Care and was continuing his recuperation in a regular room.
Melinda Anderson, mother of Derrick Anderson, was also transported to University of Louisville Hospital, where as of Monday she was listed in critical but stable condition.
The victims in the other vehicle were Joseph Morling and Nika Bastin. Both were also transported to the hospital. A hospital spokesperson on Monday afternoon that Joseph Morling was listed as “released” from University of Louisville Hospital; and Nika Bastin was listed in stable condition and is continuing to recover at University of Louisville Hospital.
The Switzerland County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene last Wednesday by the Indiana State Police; the Switzerland County EMS; Jeff-Craig Volunteer Fire Department; East Enterprise Volunteer Fire Department; and Indiana Conservation Officers.
Sheriff Hughes said that no further information would be made available about the accident while the investigation continues.
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Derrick Anderson and Nina Craig and their children had resided in Switzerland County for the past year. The family had previously resided in the Cincinnati area; but the scope of the accident has left this community in shock — and its residents are coming to the aid of the survivors.
A fund to benefit the Craig and Anderson families has been established at MainSource Bank in Vevay; and all money donated will go to help defray the funeral and other expenses that the family may encounter.
Those wishing to donate may go to the bank or mail a donation to: Craig and Anderson Fund, MainSource Bank, P.O. Box 97, Vevay, Indiana, 47043.
As the community dealt with the depth of the tragedy, Nina Craig, Devin Anderson, and Jada Craig were all laid to rest on Monday morning at Arlington Memorial Gardens in Cincinnati. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Haskell and Morrison Funeral Home here in Vevay.
Nina Craig was a former employee of Taco Bell and Subway restaurants in the Cincinnati area prior to moving to Switzerland County. She attended the Baptist Church in Oakley. She is survived by her mother, Sandra Mae White of Cincinnati; a step father, Warren Fox of Cincinnati; her father, George David Craig of Columbus, Ohio; and her son and companion.
Devin Anderson loved horses, cows, and cats; and he also loved to play with his big brother. Jada Craig was a happy baby who loved to be wrapped up in her favorite blanket.