NEWS

Principal, 1 student are dead after tragic crash Tuesday

Norris Ncube rose up from poverty in Zimbabwe, living through "parental divorce, war, loss of siblings."

Madeline Buckley, and Justin L. Mack
IndyStar
Three women embrace at Glendale Seventh-day Adventist Church during a memorial service for the victims of a crash that left at least two dead Tuesday.

A rush-hour crash Tuesday morning killed one child and an elementary school principal, who was described by colleagues as a committed and innovative educator, and seriously injured three other children and an adult.

Authorities said Tuesday afternoon that a second child had died, but the Marion County coroner issued a correction Tuesday evening, saying that one of the students reported to have died was still alive.

Norris Ncube, principal at Indianapolis Junior Academy, was killed in the crash on Indianapolis' Far Westside. Student Malia Siziba, 5, died being rushed to Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health.

Earlier reports said Ncube's son Sandile Ncube, 12, also died at Riley. But Chief Deputy Coroner Alfarena Ballew later said that Sandile was still on a ventilator.

"Unfortunately the death is imminent, and the child has a poor prognosis, however the child is still on a ventilator at this time," Ballew said in an email to media.

Ballew said the error resulted from miscommunication between hospital staff members and an incorrect report made to one of her investigators.

Norris Ncube, 50.

Those who knew Norris Ncube said he cultivated an appreciation for education during his childhood in Zimbabwe.

Ncube, who came to the United States in 1996, struggled to get an education in his homeland. He trekked long distances to school, which fostered a lifelong appreciation for teaching, said Tirza Rideout, a first-grade teacher at the school.

"It was quite a long way, but he was determined to do it," Rideout said.

Staff and parents connected to the school were in mourning Tuesday.

The school identified the other three children as Buhlebenkosi Anita Nkoma, an eighth-grader; Deon Siziba, a sixth-grader; and Jessica Senele Ncube, a sixth-grader and Norris Ncube's daughter.

Norris Ncube, 50, frequently picked up students in need of a ride to school.

Ncube was taking the children to school when a gold Ford sport utility vehicle collided with his silver Honda SUV just before 8 a.m. on Washington Street, near the intersection of High School Road. The intersection is just west of I-465, adjacent to an entrance ramp, in Wayne Township.

Police said the driver of the Ford SUV was speeding and driving erratically.

The Ford was heading west on Washington Street, approaching the intersection with the I-465 exit ramp, when it collided with Ncube's Honda, police said. Ncube was following a green light into the intersection, police said.

The second driver was taken to the hospital in serious condition.

Authorities will test his blood for intoxicants, as is standard procedure, police said. A family member told The Indianapolis Star that he thinks the older man may have suffered a medical problem. Further details were unavailable Tuesday evening.

Investigators assess the crash scene Tuesday at Washington Street and High School Road.

FROM ZIMBABWE TO INDIANAPOLIS

Staff and parents at Indianapolis Junior Academy, 2910 E. 62nd St. on the Northeastside, were still reeling in the hours after hearing the tragic news.

The academy is a Seventh-day Adventist private school that serves 85 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade with five teachers and three staff members.

Those in the school's front office were scrambling to notify parents that classes at the school were canceled for the remainder of Tuesday and Wednesday. Additional cancellations could occur, but officials were still working to determine what happens next.

Indianapolis Junior Academy

Students cried as the school's chaplain, Pastor Daniel Ortega, informed them of Ncube's death. Ncube is being remembered as an education innovator who deeply cared for the kids.

"He's a hardworking man … very dedicated and very passionate about what he does as both a teacher and a principal," Ortega said. "He's a very spiritual man who demonstrates that personally through his care for others, his love for the children and his sincere interest for each individual kid.

"He showed the kids that he not just wants them to be educated, but he wants them to know that they are loved and they are cared for."

As principal, Ncube doubled the school's enrollment and secured funding to bring dozens of new computers to the school, said Colleen Kelly, a communications specialist for Indiana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

Ncube also wrote an autobiography, "From Dust to the Skies," available on Amazon, that told of his experiences rising from impoverished beginnings to pursue his dreams. A description notes that Ncube received a bachelor of science degree from Indiana State University and passed the state's teacher licensing exams after a tumultuous coming of age in Zimbabwe.

The book says he rose up from poverty, living through "parental divorce, war, loss of siblings."

A vigil was held Tuesday night in the sanctuary of Glendale Seventh-day Adventist Church at 2900 E. 62nd St. About 150 people gathered in the pews, embracing one another and passing boxes of tissues back and forth.

Two relatives of victims involved in the wreck stood at the altar as pastors from Glendale and nearby congregations gathered around them to pray.

"We're still praying for the kids that are in the hospital, as well as for his wife and family," Ortega said. "They are our concern right now."

Star reporter Michael Anthony Adams contributed to this story.

Call Star reporter Madeline Buckley at (317) 444-6083. Follow her on Twitter: @Mabuckley88.

Call Star reporter Justin L. Mack at (317) 444-6138. Follow him on Twitter: @justinlmack.