A Columbus North basketball player was seriously injured in an accident Sunday night near Taylorsville.
A Honda driven by Josh Speidel, 18, of Columbus, collided with another vehicle at U.S. 31 and Bear Lane about 7:04 p.m. Sunday. The Honda was struck in the driver’s side, and Speidel had to be extricated from the vehicle by German Township firefighters using the Jaws of Life, authorities said.
A passenger in Speidel’s car, Kaylee McCracken, 18, of Greenwood, was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital where she is being treated for minor injuries, according to the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.
Speidel was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital and then transferred to Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis. Sheriff deputies said Speidel suffered head and internal injuries.
The door and the roof of the Honda had to be cut off to extricate Speidel, according to sheriff deputies.
Deputies T.A. Smith and Leah Burton said the accident happened in front of Speedway at Bear lane.
Preliminary investigation indicates the southbound Chevy, driven by Janell Foley, 42, of Columbus, had just exited Interstate 65 and was traveling southbound when a Honda entered the roadway from a perimeter road on the west side of U.S. 31. Foley was treated and released at the scene, and her two sons, ages 9 and 14, were not injured.
Columbus North coach Jason Speer said he was on the way to the Indianapolis hospital to support Speidel’s family. Speidel, who has been recruited by Vermont, is averaging 25.6 points and 9.3 rebounds for Columbus North this season.
