March 6, 1977

Driver "critical"

       An Illinois man was listed in “critical” condition Monday in the intensive care unit at St. Francis Hospital following a single-car accident about 12:30 a.m. Sunday near the intersection of Smith Valley and Berry Roads. The driver of the car was identified as Robert Padgett, 56, St. Francisville, Illinois. According to a report on the accident by Sheriff’s Deputy Mike McElwain, Padgett suffered facial lacerations and a possible broken neck. According to the report, Padgett was westbound on Smith Valley Road (County Road 900N) when he crossed the centerline, drove through a yard and crashed head-on into a large tree stump on the west side of Berry Road (County Road 400W). There were no skid marks at the scene, McElwain reported, and it was believed that Padgett apparently fell asleep at the wheel of the 1976 Chevrolet truck. Padgett was transported to St. Francis Hospital in Beech Grove.  (Reprinted with permission of the Daily Journal)

 

---