2016 Bands of America Grand National Championships, presented by Yamaha

Castle Band Family Grieves Loss of Sophie

Castle Band Family Grieves Loss of Sophie

The marching community quickly turns from celebration to mourning after the loss of Sophie Rinehart following her amazing performance at the Bands of America Grand Nationals.

Nov 14, 2016 by Michael Gilley
Castle Band Family Grieves Loss of Sophie
11/30 UPDATE: Mason W. Hartke, 19, of Jasper, Indiana, has been charged with three counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a blood alcohol level greater than .08 percent causing death and three counts of reckless homicide in a November 13 wreck that killed three members of the Rinehart family, including 17-year-old Castle High School band member Sophie Rinehart.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Hartke's blood alcohol level was .16 percent. Hartke's six charges are punishable by one- to six-year sentences each, according the Dubois County Herald.

The GoFundMe page that was set up in honor of the Sophie Rinehart Family has generated $8,219 as of Nov. 30. 

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The Bands of America Grand Nationals in Indianapolis was filled with incredible stories of triumph and celebration. One of those stories was Indiana's Castle High School marching band, which performed in the Grand National Finals for the first time in school history. But just a few hours after the biggest celebration of high school marching bands in the world, tragedy struck Castle High School.

Sophie Rinehart, 17, the flute and vocal soloist in Castle's show, was killed in a car accident early Sunday morning.

Unfortunately, her life was not the only one lost. Her father, David Rinehart, 46, and her grandmother, Ruth Ann Rinehart, 74, were also killed in the collision. Sophie's sister, Josie, 18, survived the crash and was taken to IU Health Bloomington.

Social media posts immediately began to flood the marching arts community Sunday morning in a show of support to the Castle High School community. 

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the Rinehart family. To donate click here. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Rinehart family, the Castle band, and the entire Castle community. #weareallcastle