School says 10-year-old killed in wrong-way crash was ‘a bright light who had a great effect on students and staff’

“It is with heavy hearts that the St. Susanna Parish School family mourns the loss of one of their students, Tessa Thompson, and her parents, Timmy and Karen.

“The fourth grader was a bright light who had a great effect on students and staff and it is a tragic loss for all who knew her. St. Susanna Parish School and Catholic community expresses heartfelt sympathy and prayers to the Thompson family and their friends affected by this tragedy.

“The school would also appreciate your thoughts and prayers for them during this time of loss. Counselors were on hand first-thing Monday morning and will remain available for emotional support for the entire school community.”

INITIAL REPORT, March 18

A family of three, including a 10-year-old girl, was killed in a wrong-way crash on Sunday night on Interstate 75 in the Dayton area.

Timmy Thompson, 51, Karen Thompson, 50, and Tessa Thompson, 10, have been identified as victims in the Sunday night accident, according to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.

A wrong-way driver caused the crash, which was reported on I-75 between Dryden Road and South Dixie Drive around 8 p.m., according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The accident involved two vehicles, authorities said, but which car was traveling the wrong way has not been released.

Tessa Thompson was a student at St. Susanna School, Mason City Schools spokeswoman Tracey Carson said. Mason City Schools are sending counselors to the school to help students.

Terri Holt, a neighbor who lives across the street from the Thompson’s home, said another neighbor knocked on her door Monday morning to tell her what happened. She said the family has a surviving son.

She said she would regularly see Timmy Thompson walking his daughter to the bus stop, and they were very involved in the neighborhood.

“I can’t believe it,” Holt said. “Life is so short anyway. I’m just so sad about it.”

Mark Thompson, Tim’s younger brother, told WCPO that his brother was smart and did well for himself.

“They all had big hearts,” he said. “(Tim and Karen) took care of me when my mom died. They were my everything.”

Mark Thompson said the three could have been visiting Karen’s family in Maumee when they crashed.