November 6, 1977

Not even a scratch

       Police responding to a traffic accident early Sunday at the intersection of Smith Valley and Morgantown Roads were greeted with an unusual sight-a 1974 Mercury Montego dangling from the twin guy wires of a utility pole, with all four wheels off the ground. What’s more, police said, both car and driver came through without a scratch. According to Johnson County Sheriff’s Deputies Victor Kanter, 32, 6530 Hornaday Drive, White River Township, said he was traveling south on Morgantown Road about 2 a.m. Sunday when he stopped at the four way intersection at Smith Valley Road. What happened next remains unclear. Kanter reportedly told police he was attempting to continue south on Morgantown road at the “jog” when he was forced to swerve to the right to avoid a westbound car which had run the stop sign. A witness, however, reportedly told Jeff Shapiro of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department that he didn’t see any westbound cars at the time of the accident. In any event, deputies said, Kanter’s car did travel up the double guy wires of a utility pole at the southwest corner of the intersection. Shapiro said it came to a rest on its rear bumper, with all four wheels suspended off the ground. “I couldn’t hardly believe it,” Shapiro commented “He was only doing about 20 miles per hour.” Two wreckers including a massive “boom wrecker” from Indianapolis, were called to the scene to rescue the stranded vehicle. “They just lifted it off,” Shapiro said. “There was no damage at all.” Members of the White River Township Fire Department were called to the scene.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)
 

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