SHREVEPORT, La. -- Family, friends and fellow worshippers are mourning the loss of two members of a Louisiana pastor's family following a tragic crash in Claiborne Parish.
The Saturday morning accident claimed the lives of Katie Barber Brady, 22, and Benson Brady, 13. Two other children remained hospitalized Monday, including one in serious condition. The driver, Jay Brady, was treated and released.
According to family members, several relatives of Pastor Tim Brady were traveling home from Camp Apex, a week-long Pentecostal youth gathering in Magnolia, Ark., when the crash occurred around 11:30 a.m. on state Highway 9 near Athens. Authorities said the truck left the roadway and struck a tree.
Louisiana State Police said drug or alcohol impairment is not suspected and the crash remains under investigation. His father believes fatigue may have played a role in the crash.
"If you've never lost a child, you don't know the pain," Brady said.
The tragedy came just as the family was returning from what had been a meaningful week of ministry and fellowship. Camp Apex brings together Pentecostal believers from across the South for worship, teaching and youth outreach.
Brady said his daughter-in-law, Katie, was deeply involved in ministry and spent time praying one-on-one with young girls during the camp. He described his son as someone who was always eager to serve others and openly express his faith.
"He was the first one saving people seats and the first one on stage praising God," Brady said.
As the family grapples with the loss, Brady said their faith continues to provide comfort despite the unanswered questions surrounding the tragedy.
"We don't understand why it happened. We don't understand God's ways," he said. "The Bible says that He'll give you peace."
Brady said he and his church family are leaning on their faith as they mourn.
"A lot of times the Bible says we see through a glass darkly, that we don't understand His ways, but we trust Him," Brady said. "We trust that He knows what He's doing."
The family says nothing can replace their loved ones, but they find comfort in believing they are in God's presence.
"I take comfort in knowing He's with us and walking with my son and my church family," Brady said. "I take comfort in knowing he's with Jesus."
A GoFundMe has been established to help the family and those injured cover funeral and medical expenses and other costs associated with the tragedy. The fundraiser was organized by the South Central Region of the Worldwide Pentecostal Fellowship.
Anyone wishing to contribute can find information through the Go Fund Me account that was established by the World Pentacostal Fellowship's South Central Region to handle it..