Handicapped van crashes in Martinsville

Candice Nelson ( ) and WSLS News Staff
Published: April 3, 2008

Updated 5:53 p.m by Candice Nelson

    Several people are recovering in the hospital after a van and pick-up truck collides. It happened in Martinsville on Thursday morning. State Police said a pick-up truck was on Fisher Farm Road, when a van on a cross-street, Stone View Drive, ran a stop sign. That’s when the pick-up truck T-boned the van.
    Inside the van were adults from a special needs program. State trooper, Dennis McBride, said, “They were headed to a church out there and the driver of the van seems unfamiliar with the area and thought he could go straight across.“
    There were 11 people inside the van, and nine people were taken to the hospital; however, police say both drivers were alright.
    State Police said they don’t have a lot of problems on the road and speed did not seem to be an issue in the accident.
    The van was headed to Rich Acres Christian Church for a program for people with special needs. Ten On Your Side talked to the church program volunteers. In this program, John Kaczor said, “We do some crafts and play games. We have a really good time. They’re super appreciative and we have a blast.“
  Kaczor said they noticed they were missing a vanload of people and then found out about the accident. Now, they want to make sure everybody’s safe.
  “We’re planning a trip to the hospital just to check on everybody, make sure their needs are ok. Make sure anything the church can do for them , that we can do to make sure they get home ok, to help them out with their recovery,” said Kaczor.
  State Police say some of the people in the van were taken to the Memorial Hospital of Martinsville, while others were taken to Morehead Hospital in North Carolina.
  Police said the driver of the van, Kenneth Brown, will be charged with reckless driving.

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State Police have charged the driver of the van with reckless driving.

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State Police now say eleven people were in the van, including the driver.  Nine people riding in the van were hurt.

Both drivers are OK.

Troopers tell us charges agains the van’s driver are pending.

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State Police now say the van was carrying mentally handicapped people to a church event for people with special needs.

Troopers tell us the van was on a side road.  The van’s driver did not see a stop sign, and hit a Toyota pick-up truck driving on Fisher Farm Road.

Eleven people were in the van.  EMS crews took some to Martinsville Memorial Hospital, and others to Moorehead Hospital.  Martinsville Memorial Hospital tells us some of their patients have been treated and released, while the others are in stable condition.

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A handicapped van crashes, blocking part of a Henry County road this morning.

State Police say the van flipped, and blocked Fishers Farm Road, inbetween Route 220 business and Route 58 near Martinsville.

Troopers tell us several people inside the van were hurt, but would not say how seriously, or if any children were inside.

A wrecker has since removed the van.

10 On Your Side’s Candice Nelson is working on this story.  She’ll bring you an update tonight on WSLS starting at 5:00 p.m.

Stay with http://www.wsls.com for additional updates as we get them.

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State police are on their way to a van crash in Martinsville.

It happened on Fishers Farm Road near Martinville.  That’s off of Route 220 before its intersection with Route 58. 

Earlier, State Police told us it was a school bus crash, but have since told us it is actually a handicapped van, but some children were on board.

So far, police have not been able to give us any more information since they are on their way to the scene now.

We just spoke with Carilion spokesman Eric Earnhart.  He tells us Carilion had both of its helicopters on the way to the scene, but then were called back and told not to send them.

10 On Your Side is also sending a crew.  Check back here for more updates and on WSLS Ten On Your Side at Noon.