Man Arrested And Released For Medical Care Following Bizarre Accident

In a bizarre accident, a Sullivan man was arrested Monday, Oct. 31 by officers and released to medical care of Missouri Baptist Ambulance personnel after the vehicle he was operating is alleged to have entered the Wal-Mart parking lot at 350 Park Ridge Drive at a high rate of speed, striking one vehicle and continuing across the parking lot where it struck head-on with a second vehicle.

The vehicle was occupied by a Sullivan teen.

The man's vehicle jumped the curb and stopped just feet away from Aldi.

Kenneth Hedrick, 68, was arrested for driving while intoxicated, second-degree assault and first-degree property damage.

Police expect to file formal charges once toxicology reports are returned to their department.

Officers, Missouri Baptist Ambulance and Sullivan firefighters responded to find debris strewn across the parking lot of the shopping center and a male suspect still behind the wheel of an SUV.

Medical personnel on the scene were able to transport the victim to Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital for treatment of minor-moderate injuries. He was also arrested at the scene by Sullivan Police.

Amazingly, the unidentified Sullivan teen, who just happened to be sitting in his car at the time of impact, was not injured at the scene.

What is also amazing is that with the Halloween evening traffic flow and children out no one else in the parking lot was injured during the accident.

Authorities working the scene were heard commenting that it was a true miracle that no one was seriously injured or fatally injured when this incident occurred.

All three vehicles involved in the accident received extensive to total damages.

The make and year of the vehicles and a further report on the accident was not available at press time.

For video coverage of this incident visit Sullivan Independent News Facebook page.