Morris prosecutor: Tot's death at farm was accident

The toddler who was killed Sunday afternoon when she was caught between two shuttle buses at Alstede Farms in Chester Township died of head trauma and her death was labeled an accident, according to a statement Thursday from the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.

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The release from Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp formally identified the deceased child as Elizabeth Fuehring but others -- including a family friend who started an online fundraiser to help with funeral expenses -- previously identified the victim, who was nicknamed Ella, 2 1/2, and of Budd Lake.

The release states that Sarah Fuehring, the little girl's mother, and a friend, Joanna Alemany, "suffered serious but non-threatening injuries which they are being treated for."

Responding to a request for an explanation of how the accident occurred, Knapp said no additional information would be released this week. The toddler's manner of death was listed as an accident, which suggests that no criminal charges or allegations of reckless operation of a vehicle rising to a criminal level would be filed.

A call to Chester Township Police Chief Wayne Martini is pending since motor vehicle tickets could be issued to drivers of either shuttle bus.

Elizabeth Fuehring, her mother, Alemany and other relatives were at the popular tourist site on Route 513 during its fall Harvest Fest when they were pinned between two shuttle buses in a parking field. According to Chester Township Mayor William Cogger, one bus is owned by a Sparta-based company and the other -- called the I Love Chester Express -- was maintained by the Chester Historic Business Association, Alstede's, and Streets of Chester organization.

The association president has previously denied comment on the accident and Alstede Farms owner Kurt Alstede declined comment Thursday through an employee.

Sarah Fuehring suffered a fractured femur and witnessed her daughter's death. Joanna Alemany, her friend, sustained a fractured pelvis. Morristown Medical Center spokeswoman Maggie Goldberg said both women are listed in good condition as of Thursday.

More than $38,000 flowed into the online fundraiser to cover Elizabeth's funeral, for which no date has been firmly set, as well as to pay for medical and other family expenses. Family friend Heather Riegler, who started the gofundme.com fundraiser, said a false online fundraising page was opened on Indiegogo.com by a person in Texas with no connection to the incident but it was dismantled without any donations being collected after Indiegogo officials were contacted.

Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@njpressmedia.com