Halloween car crash leads to kindly "spirit" in ER | Community Spirit

McCRACKEN COUNTY, KY (KFVS) -  A van carrying three trick-or-treaters was involved in a two car collision on Halloween.

Two vehicles collided at approximately 4:40 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Old US Hwy 45 and Lebanon Church Road. 

The investigation revealed that prior to the accident a Dodge mini-van was traveling westbound on Lebanon Church Road and was approaching the intersection of Old US 45. 

At the intersection the traffic traveling on Lebanon Church Road is required to stop and the traffic on Old US 45 has the right of way. 

It appears that the mini-van either slowed or stopped at the intersection and then proceeded to cross Old US 45 and pulled into the path of a northbound ¾ ton Dodge pickup truck.

The collision caused the mini-van to spin into a ditch and the pickup truck rolled several times before coming to rest on its side in a yard at the intersection.  

The operator of the van, 25-year-old Sarah J. Norman, of Paducah, was treated and released from Western Baptist Hospital for minor injuries. 

Her front seat passenger, James D. Smith, 39, of Paducah, was flown to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Indiana and was listed in critical condition. 

Mr. Smith’s three children, 7-year-old Devon, 11-year-old Tyler, and 12-year-old Hunter were treated and released from Lourdes Hospital. 

The operator of the pickup truck, 64-year-old Henry Willett was treated for his apparent minor injuries at Lourdes Hospital.

At the time of the crash, the three children were dressed for trick or treating. 

In order to assess and treat the children’s injuries, the emergency medical personnel from Mercy Regional EMS had to cut away their costumes. 

Later in the evening, two of the responding Paramedics from Mercy Regional EMS, Rachel Lane and Alessia Gallo, returned to Lourdes Hospital bearing bags of candy and replacement costumes for the children. 

After photographs were taken, with the Mercy Medics and ER staff, the children were discharged from the hospital wearing their costumes and carrying large bags of candy.

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