Evansville, IN – A heartbreaking tragedy has struck an Evansville family following a devastating 70-car pileup on Interstate 70 in western Kansas. Among those killed was 61-year-old Stephanie Purcell, a beloved Evansville native who was returning home after a trip out west.
Purcell’s daughter, Alexis Price, spoke to the media about the family’s loss, recalling how she had urged her mother to stay longer before embarking on her journey home. “Before she left, I said I love you. Safe travels,” Price shared. “I tried very hard to get them to stay a little longer just in case, I think I always had a bad feeling about it.”
Stephanie Purcell was traveling with her sister, Denise Allison, who also hails from Evansville. While Purcell tragically lost her life in the crash, Allison remains hospitalized in Kansas with serious injuries. The two sisters were en route to an Airbnb in Kansas when a sudden dust storm caused visibility to plummet, leading to the catastrophic pileup.
“The dust storm just appeared out of nowhere,” Alexis Price explained. “It was basically like one minute you’re seeing perfectly clear skies and then the next you can’t see anything.”
The family had gathered in Denver just the week prior to celebrate several birthdays, a reunion filled with laughter and joy. The sisters were still hours away from their planned stop when the accident occurred.
Gregg Purcell, Stephanie’s brother, expressed his anguish, saying, “I wanted to have hope, but we knew best case she’s got to be unconscious somewhere because she would tackle somebody to steal their phone to let her kids know she was okay.”
Despite the tragedy, the family continues to hold on to the memories of their time together, especially the joy shared during their family celebration in Denver. “When we were together, it’s like we hadn’t been apart,” Gregg said. “We would share stories, we would create new ones, we would laugh until we cried.”
Stephanie Purcell, an avid gardener, pinball enthusiast, and dedicated mother of three, was known for her vibrant spirit and love of life. Her family described her as a person who brightened any room she entered. Even in her absence, they find solace in the blooming garden she tended to so lovingly.
As the family rallies around Denise Allison, who will need extensive treatment and likely weeks in the hospital, they are also working to bring her closer to home for further care. In the midst of their grief, the Purcell family has set up two accounts at Old National Bank to help cover medical expenses related to the crash.
“They say it’s a reminder to hug your own family every chance you get,” Alexis Price said, reflecting on the loss of her mother. “We all got closure in our own ways. It’s just a matter of dealing with the grief that is to come.”
The Purcell family’s story is one of profound loss, but also of love, resilience, and the importance of cherishing each moment with loved ones.
