June 1, 1990

Three seriously injured in car-truck collision

       Five members of a Greenwood family and two members of an Indianapolis family were injured Thursday night in a near head-on collision between a pick up truck and a car. Three of the victims were seriously injured. The accident occurred about 8:40 p.m. Thursday on Smith Valley Road, just west of McCarty farms. Officials at St. Francis Hospital in Beech Grove reported today that three of the victims are in serious condition in the intensive care unit of the hospital. They are: Daniel Wheeler, 34, 3132 Meridian Meadows Road, Greenwood and his daughter, Dana, 3, and 16-year-old Paula Jones of Indianapolis. Wheeler’s wife, Norma Jane, 34, a daughter Danielle, 8, and another daughter Deana, 5, are listed in satisfactory condition at the hospital. Connie Jones, 51, Indianapolis, Miss Jones’ mother also was listed in satisfactory condition today. One other victim of the accident, Karen Feeney, 16, 4694 Rocking Chair Road, Greenwood, was treated and released at the hospital. She was a passenger in Jones vehicle. Indiana State Police Trooper Terry Dellarosa, who investigated the accident, said Paula Jones was the driver of the eastbound Oldsmobile, which crossed the centerline and struck the westbound truck driven by Wheeler. The police officer said Miss Jones has a learners permit, and her mother was seated next to her in their vehicle. He said the Jones’ vehicle apparently crossed over into the westbound lane of Smith Valley Road and Mrs. Jones grabbed the wheel to correct the car. “She must have pulled back to far and the car got off the road on the other side,” Dellarosa said. Miss Jones then apparently became frightened and overcorrected, crashing into the truck, he said. Wheeler was pinned in the pick up truck. Greenwood fireman and White River rescue crews worked about 40 minutes to free him from the wreckage. The trooper said the three Wheeler children were thrown from the vehicle and Mrs. Wheeler also may have been thrown out of the truck. Both vehicles were demolished in the crash. Dellarosa said Wheeler suffered a concussion, broken arm and internal injuries as a result of the accident; Paula Jones suffered internal injuries and lacerations, and Dana Wheeler suffered multiple head and internal injuries. Mrs. Wheeler suffered a broken jaw; Danielle Wheeler suffered a fractured leg, and concussion. Karen Feeney was treated and released at the hospital for a bump on the head. Ambulances from the White River Township, Myers Ambulance Service and New Whiteland helped transport the victims to the hospital and rescue workers were at the scene from Greenwood and White River Township; along with medics from Myers Ambulance Service. Indiana State Police and Johnson County Sheriff’s deputies also responded to the scene. State Police worked at the accident scene and interviewed the victims at the hospital until 2 a.m.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)
 
 
 

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