A Ball State University senior will not face charges after he hit a Muncie Central cross-country runner with his vehicle Wednesday afternoon.
After investigating the accident, the University Police Department determined the actions of Ball State student Chad Hunt were not the cause of the collision with Muncie Central freshman Carissa Clohessy, Sgt. David Bell said.
“I’ve talked to three witnesses who saw the accident from different perspectives, as well as the two passengers. All six people indicated there was no time to react,” Bell said.
According to the accident report, all witnesses said Clohessy did not appear to see Hunt’s vehicle.
“Legally speaking, criminal charges are up to the police, and as investigating officer, I’m not following up on any charges personally,” Bell said.
The accident occurred around 4:15 p.m. as Hunt was heading west on Riverside Avenue and did not notice Clohessy crossing the street, Bell said.
“Apparently, the injured pedestrian was jogging west on Riverside, just west of New York Avenue ... She attempted to cross to the north side,” he said.
Clohessy collided with the vehicle on the driver’s side and somehow ended up pinned underneath the vehicle’s rear driver’s side tire, the report said.
Bell said the cause of the accident was reported as pedestrian actions because she was not crossing the street at a crosswalk.
“The investigation is still not complete because I have not spoken with the injured pedestrian,” he said.
Clohessy was taken to Ball Memorial Hospital with a fractured skull, a broken ankle and a fractured clavicle, the accident report said. She was still in serious condition as of 7 p.m. Thursday night.
Muncie Central Athletic Director Tom Jarvis said he had a meeting with the cross country runners Thursday to give them an update on Clohessy and to review some safety rules and precautions for practices.
“We want them running in groups, trying to avoid busy intersections, trying to stay on the sidewalks,” Jarvis said.
He said a meeting for the students’ parents will be held sometime next week.
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