ANDERSON, IN : Single mother of 3 dies in Anderson crash on Thursday morning, 25th August, 2016

A 29-year-old single mother of three children died in what authorities described as a horrific three-vehicle accident at the intersection of East 38th Street and Rangeline Road Thursday morning.

Tabbitha Phipps was driving a 2006 Ford van east on 38th Street about 8:45 a.m. when she apparently ran a red light at the intersection and collided with 43-year-old Gregory Skelton of Carmel. He was driving a 2006 Cadillac Escalade north on Rangeline Road, said Maj. Joel Sandefur, Anderson Police Department spokesman.

"According to the crash investigation team, the impact caused the Ford van to roll, partially ejecting Phipps from her vehicle," said Sandefur. Phipps was reportedly driving two of her children to school.

Madison County Coroner Marian Dunnichay said Phipps was pronounced dead at the scene and attributed the woman's death to massive blunt force trauma to the head.

Two children in the van, ages 9 and 11, were transported to St. Vincent Anderson Regional Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, Sandefur said. Skelton was not injured.

Also involved in the crash was Michael Clark, 56, of Anderson, driving a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. His vehicle received minor damage when it was struck by Phipps' van after it rolled. Clark was not injured.

Rangeline Road from County Road 150 South to East 53rd Street was closed for approximately three hours while accident investigators gathered information at the scene. Sandefur said the collision remains under investigation.

Anderson police were assisted by Madison County Emergency Management Agency, Chesterfield police and Madison County Sheriff's Department. The Coca Cola Bottling Co. provided water to police and firefighters working the scene.

Phipps was a licensed home health aide, and according to her Facebook page she was a community living assistant at the Hopewell Center and a patient care technician at St. Vincent Anderson Regional Hospital.

Friends and family have started a Gofundme page in hopes of raising $5,000 to cover funeral and other expenses. By 8 p.m. Thursday people had contributed $440 to the fund.

Commenting on the Gofundme page, Heather Brewer said she met Phipps through Facebook rummage sites, and was proud of her three children.

"She was so proud of her babies, and her great couponing skills. She had a heart of gold, and if someone she met ever had a need, she would go above and beyond to help them," Brewer said.

"While we never know why God needs some home sooner than others, this world is lucky that she left the best part of her in those beautiful babies," she added.

"She was such a wonderful friend to me," said Jennifer Abbott in another comment on Gofundme. "This is a devastating loss. She was always full of energy and life. She loved her life to the fullest and there wasn't anything she wouldn't do for anybody."

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Single mother of 3 dies in Anderson crash