Kokomo Trib Report...
Crash claims life of anti-smoking leader
Edwards killed, 5 injured after being hit by wrong-way driver
By JOHN DEMPSEY
Tribune business writer
Kokomo anti-smoking activist Joy Edwards was killed and five passengers in her minivan were injured when they were struck by a car going the wrong way on Interstate 465 on the southeast side of Indianapolis.
The group, which included three of her children and two of their friends, was on its way home from a spring-break vacation in Gulf Shores, Ala., according to the father of one of those injured.
The injured passengers were taken to Wishard Hospital, where four of them remained hospitalized Sunday night, according to a Wishard spokeswoman.
Injured were:
• Branden Wade, 20, who underwent surgery for internal injuries and was listed in critical condition;
• Courtney Wade, 17, who suffered a broken vertebra and was in fair condition;
• Kristin Wade, 16, who was in fair condition with a broken right leg;
• Alex Stang, 21, who was in fair condition; and
• Benjamin Parker, 17, Russiaville, who was treated and released.
State police said Stang suffered only abrasions, but Curtis Parker, the father of Benjamin, said he had a skull fracture and also had a broken vertebra, but “was alert and talking” when they left the hospital.
Benjamin Parker suffered a broken nose, abrasions to his legs and elbows and had glass embedded in him.
“He’s beat up, but he’s in the best shape of the crew,” his father said.
Dorothy Joy Edwards formerly worked at St. Joseph Hospital as wellness coordinator and was a spokesperson for Smoke Free Kokomo, an anti-smoking coalition that backed Kokomo’s recent no-smoking ordinance.
Indiana State Police investigators believe Nicole M. King, 26, Noblesville, entered I-465 at its Allisonville Road interchange and drove south in the northbound lanes.
ISP Sgt. Ray Poole reported that dispatchers received approximately 50 calls about a 1997 red Honda four-door sedan going the wrong way, but police were unable to intercept it before the head-on collision a mile east of the Emerson Avenue exit.
Edwards was driving the 1997 Pontiac minivan at the time of the accident while her daughter Courtney was in the front passenger’s seat, according to Curtis Parker.
“From what (Benjamin) remembers, the oldest daughter and mother were in front and talking. He was asleep and thinks everyone else was at least dozing,” the elder Parker said. “(Edwards) did make a swerve to avoid the car, but it struck her in the driver’s front nearly head on.
“The van ended up on its side. He understands it rolled maybe once or twice. Passers-by helped get them out and then the van caught on fire.”
The van was on its side and burning when emergency crews arrived.
“Emergency responders were able to help all but one of the van’s occupants out of the vehicle,” Poole said in a statement.
Poole said police did not know if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash. A toxicology test was ordered but could take up to six weeks for results, he said.
The eastbound lanes of I-465 were rerouted to northbound Interstate 65 for about three hours after the accident.
Two people died in a similar accident on I-465 in the early morning hours of March 22.
John Dempsey may be contacted at (765) 854-6739 or by e-mail at john.dempsey@kokomotribune.com
The Associated Press contributed to the report
Edwards killed, 5 injured after being hit by wrong-way driver
By JOHN DEMPSEY
Tribune business writer
Kokomo anti-smoking activist Joy Edwards was killed and five passengers in her minivan were injured when they were struck by a car going the wrong way on Interstate 465 on the southeast side of Indianapolis.
The group, which included three of her children and two of their friends, was on its way home from a spring-break vacation in Gulf Shores, Ala., according to the father of one of those injured.
The injured passengers were taken to Wishard Hospital, where four of them remained hospitalized Sunday night, according to a Wishard spokeswoman.
Injured were:
• Branden Wade, 20, who underwent surgery for internal injuries and was listed in critical condition;
• Courtney Wade, 17, who suffered a broken vertebra and was in fair condition;
• Kristin Wade, 16, who was in fair condition with a broken right leg;
• Alex Stang, 21, who was in fair condition; and
• Benjamin Parker, 17, Russiaville, who was treated and released.
State police said Stang suffered only abrasions, but Curtis Parker, the father of Benjamin, said he had a skull fracture and also had a broken vertebra, but “was alert and talking” when they left the hospital.
Benjamin Parker suffered a broken nose, abrasions to his legs and elbows and had glass embedded in him.
“He’s beat up, but he’s in the best shape of the crew,” his father said.
Dorothy Joy Edwards formerly worked at St. Joseph Hospital as wellness coordinator and was a spokesperson for Smoke Free Kokomo, an anti-smoking coalition that backed Kokomo’s recent no-smoking ordinance.
Indiana State Police investigators believe Nicole M. King, 26, Noblesville, entered I-465 at its Allisonville Road interchange and drove south in the northbound lanes.
ISP Sgt. Ray Poole reported that dispatchers received approximately 50 calls about a 1997 red Honda four-door sedan going the wrong way, but police were unable to intercept it before the head-on collision a mile east of the Emerson Avenue exit.
Edwards was driving the 1997 Pontiac minivan at the time of the accident while her daughter Courtney was in the front passenger’s seat, according to Curtis Parker.
“From what (Benjamin) remembers, the oldest daughter and mother were in front and talking. He was asleep and thinks everyone else was at least dozing,” the elder Parker said. “(Edwards) did make a swerve to avoid the car, but it struck her in the driver’s front nearly head on.
“The van ended up on its side. He understands it rolled maybe once or twice. Passers-by helped get them out and then the van caught on fire.”
The van was on its side and burning when emergency crews arrived.
“Emergency responders were able to help all but one of the van’s occupants out of the vehicle,” Poole said in a statement.
Poole said police did not know if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash. A toxicology test was ordered but could take up to six weeks for results, he said.
The eastbound lanes of I-465 were rerouted to northbound Interstate 65 for about three hours after the accident.
Two people died in a similar accident on I-465 in the early morning hours of March 22.
John Dempsey may be contacted at (765) 854-6739 or by e-mail at john.dempsey@kokomotribune.com
The Associated Press contributed to the report