By John Estridge
Two young children were air cared from a three-vehicle accident in front of the Mounds Recreation Area Entrance on July 4.
According to a Franklin County Sheriff’s Department press release, at 3:04 p.m., Thomas E. Jones, 33, Middletown, Ohio, was driving a 2002 Saturn Vue westbound on Fox Run Road. Jones told investigators he thought he was at a four-way stop intersection and proceeded into oncoming Indiana 101 traffic. Jones pulled into the path of a southbound 2009 Toyota Tundra being driven by John R. Hanger, 71, of Union, Kentucky. The force of the collision caused the Saturn to strike a 2005 Chevy Malibu, being driven by Regina R. Wilder, 38, of Greensburg, which was stopped on Mounds Beach Road, at Ind. 101.
A 7-year-old and a 5-year-old, both passengers in Jones’ vehicle, were flown by medical helicopter to University Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, for treatment of injuries sustained in the accident. Michelle M. Bledsoe, 27 of Niles, Ohio, also a passenger in Jones’ vehicle, was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Helicopters landed on Indiana Department of Natural Resources property with ambulances taking them from the scene of the accident to the helicopters.
According to the Franklin County Security Center’s (FCSC) weekly arrest report, Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremy Noah arrested Jones at 4:11 p.m., on the day of the accident. Jones was charged on July 7 by the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office with Operating a motor vehicle while suspended resulting in injury, as a Level 6 Felony.
He bonded out of the FCSC on a $1,050 bond. He was ordered to appear in the Franklin Circuit Court II courtroom at 8:30 a.m., July 28.
Charges are merely an accusation and all criminal suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If convicted of a Level 6 Felony, Jones could receive a sentence to the FCSC from six months to two-and-a-half years.
Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Blooming Grove and Brookville Volunteer Fire Departments, Brookville E.M.S. 2, Laurel E.M.S. 3, Responder 24, Stat Flight and Lifeline.