MercyMe Gospel Rock Group Involved in Fatal Accident

Bart Millard, lead singer of the Christian rock band, MercyMe, used Twitter to announce that the group's tour bus had been hit be a car. His short message was, "Car just hit our tour bus. We are okay, but 2 of the 3 in the car did not make it. The one that did is pregnant. Please start praying."

After sleeping for most of the day, Bart Twittered: "Was hoping to wake up and this not be real." The nightmare did happen and the band is obviously shaken by what happened in the early hours of Saturday.

MercyMe released this official statement on their website:

MercyMe would like to express their incredible heartache over this horrible accident. They are praying for the families of all who this will affect, and are asking others to please pray as well. The band and crew sustained minor bumps and bruises, however their hearts are heavy. They appreciate the concern they have received from people all over the world.

The accident happened at 1:15am, August 8, 2009, after the bus left Ft. Wayne, Indiana, where they had just put on a concert. Apparently, a car pulled out in front of the group's bus while it was going through a green light. Two passengers in the car, a male and a female, were pronounced dead on the scene. Their identities have not yet been released pending notification of their families. The driver of the black Chevy Corsica, 18 year old Kara Klinker, was taken to the intensive care unit. She was just weeks away from giving birth to her baby, which died in this tragic accident. No one on the bus was injured.

The investigations are being carried out by the Ft. Wayne Police Department, Ft. Wayne and Allen County FACT Team, assisted by the Allen County Prosecutor and the Allen County Coroner's Office. Liza Thomas, Public Information Officer, said that the car driven by Kara Klinker was headed eastbound, but eyewitnesses reported the car suddenly turned eastbound into the path of the bus.

MercyMe was scheduled to put on a concert at Six Flags St. Louis on Saturday, but that has now been cancelled. According to another Tweet put out by the band's Robby Shaffer, the show has been rescheduled for September 5th. The band will be resuming their concert tour in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Monday, where they are scheduled to play at the Fair.

MercyMe is a popular Dallas Gospel rock group which has been touring the US on a Christian music concert tour.