Van Packed With Church Members Crashes, Killing 5

A van full of church members heading home from a Bible class veered off a northeast Louisiana highway and hit a culvert, killing five people and injuring several others. The van crashed Wednesday night, and the van's driver, Joey McKan, 30, died yesterday from his injuries, making him the fifth victim, said police. Also dead were a 53-year-old mother and two daughters ages 19 and 12, and a 4-year-old girl.

"When I saw how bad it was I drove back to church and told them to start praying," a member of the congregation said. There was no indication the van was speeding, and a sheriff said the van wrecked on a stretch of road that was straight and flat. Church members were shocked, but have rallied together, "I'm pleased to tell you that we live in the Bible belt," one said. "I believe we have more churches per square mile than any other parish, and they are already offering assistance and planning services." (More Louisiana stories.)