March 21, 1976

Franklin girl seriously injured

       A four-year-old Franklin girl was seriously injured about 3:30 p.m. Sunday when she was struck by a car in front of the West Grove Elementary School.  Deborah N. Foley, 1670 Francis Street, Franklin, was listed in “serious” condition this morning in the intensive care unit of St. Francis Hospital, Beech Grove.

         According to Indiana State Police Trooper Dan E. Logsdon, the girl apparently ran from the school across Smith Valley road and was accidentally struck by a 1964 Rambler driven by Daniel R. McGinnis, 48, Greenwood route five.  Logsdon said McGinnis told him he swerved to avoid hitting the girl and struck a fence at the Robert Baxter residence.  No charges were filed against McGinnis, Logsdon said.

         Following the report of the accident, emergency vehicles began speeding toward the scene and two – a state police car and a White River Township volunteer fireman’s vehicle – were involved in a collision.  An unmarked state police car driven by trooper Tim Hart collided with a car driven by fireman Dave McDaniels at the intersection of Smith Valley road and County Road 400W, according to reports.

         Hart was driving with his red lights and siren on and McDaniels had his fireman’s blue emergency light turned on, according to reports.  Both vehicles were reported to be heavily damaged in the mishap, but no serious injuries were reported.

    

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