Collision leaves boy in critical condition

Friday, October 1, 2010

GREENCASTLE -- A 6-year-old Greencastle boy was seriously injured Thursday afternoon when he was struck by a car.

Eli Hardwick appears to have darted into the path of vehicle while playing in Big Walnut Sports Park, Greencastle Police Department Assistant Chief Brian Hopkins said.

Dispatch confirmed the call for the incident came around 6:05 p.m.

Hardwick was taken from the accident scene to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. Although Hopkins declined to disclose Hardwick's name, a representative for Riley confirmed that Hardwick was at the hospital. As of 9 p.m. Thursday, Hardwick was listed in critical condition.

Hopkins said Hardwick received "multiple injuries," but that he was breathing at the accident scene.

Hopkins also declined to release the name of the person driving the car that struck Hardwick. He said a news release would likely be made available sometime today.

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  • Poor little guy! Praying for all involved. I really don't think it is pertinent to post the name of the driver. It was an accident and we don't need names being slandered and talked about on the BG website. This person probably feels horrible as it is.

    -- Posted by Sunflowermel on Fri, Oct 1, 2010, at 7:39 AM
  • Fig has set up an account for Eli on the caringbridge.org website for following Eli's progress.

    -- Posted by BGreader on Fri, Oct 1, 2010, at 8:00 AM
  • Having recently been to the sports park and seeing how close the fields are to the parking lots, I would hope this accident causes the board of directors to realize they need to put up fences to prevent this from happening again. Fortunate there haven't been accidents prior to this. It's a shame that preventative measures like a fence haven't been put into place and that it takes an accident to make people see the need for precautionary measures.

    Praying for the individuals and families of everyone involved.

    -- Posted by howsthishappen on Fri, Oct 1, 2010, at 8:55 AM
  • I would hope that no one would be placing blame on anyone here. I think it's a tragic, unfortunate event, but it doesn't sound like there was fault on anyone here. Prayers to all involved for healing. I am sure the driver feels terrible in this.

    -- Posted by Greencastle7 on Fri, Oct 1, 2010, at 9:02 AM
  • Obviously, it was just that...an accident! Prayers for everyone involved!

    -- Posted by bannerstuff on Fri, Oct 1, 2010, at 9:06 AM
  • Thoughts and prayers for Eli and to all involved!

    -- Posted by RDALERESIDENT on Fri, Oct 1, 2010, at 9:11 AM
  • ...being slandered? Not likely. Names get posted all the time, regardless -- it was an accident.

    -- Posted by BG-reader on Fri, Oct 1, 2010, at 9:20 AM
  • Our thoughts and prayers go out to Eli, his family, and everyone involved.

    I also agree with earlier post about the sports park. I am always very nervous driving through the parking lot it is so close to the field.

    Please put up a fence so this does not happen again.

    -- Posted by greencastle31 on Fri, Oct 1, 2010, at 9:27 AM
  • OMG...maybe you have been sniffing way to may paintfumes....I'm sure this person was paying very close attention. I'm very certain this person is not concerned for their self. It's people like you that post awful things on here. Society needs to stay out of things that do not involve them.

    -- Posted by northcounty08 on Fri, Oct 1, 2010, at 10:17 AM
  • Praying for all of those involved in this horrible accident. It does not matter who was driving, the fact is this could have happened to any of us who drive our children to the sports park!! We are praying for your family and that you have the strength to get through this.

    To Eli, Laurie, and Figgy--you have many people who love all of you and are willing to help in any way possible!! Please do not hesitate to ask any of us for help. We are all praying for you and hoping that Eli has a speedy recovery!!

    -- Posted by buylocal1 on Fri, Oct 1, 2010, at 11:18 AM
  • My heart goes out to the Driver, the child and his family! The area is chaotic...Rest rooms on one side of the road playing fields on the other...No safe space for persons walking to/from their cars in the parking lots....Parents & children alike need to stay together....safety in numbers.

    -- Posted by do-read on Fri, Oct 1, 2010, at 11:56 AM
  • Anyone who has ever struck a deer or a dog or any other animal with their vehicle knows how fast it can happen and how helpless they were at the time to avoid the collision. As someone who on April 23, 1998 struck a 6 year old boy in a very similar situation, I can tell you, I have relived this incident over and over for years and there is nothing a driver can do when someone runs in front of their car. I can tell you from experience that the driver is suffering enough without people pointing fingers and talking about them as if they were at fault. It could have been anyone driving that car, even you. Have some compassion and pray for Eli, his family, the driver, and the drivers family. This incident will affect them all for the rest of their lives.

    -- Posted by BbridgeJC on Fri, Oct 1, 2010, at 12:41 PM
  • Eli is on my daughters soccer team, and at her school. Our prayers are going out to the family and friends of Eli, as well as to the driver, and his or her family... We were there and wittness to an awful accident at a very busy sports park, that could have happened to anyone!!!!

    -- Posted by Sunday73 on Fri, Oct 1, 2010, at 12:44 PM
  • Prayers for all in involved in this awful accident! Praying really hard for you Eli!!

    -- Posted by littlebit77 on Fri, Oct 1, 2010, at 2:50 PM
  • Several parents and friends are coming together Friday evening to construct a fence at the sports park....please come out if you are available to help... thanks...

    -- Posted by BGreader on Fri, Oct 1, 2010, at 2:54 PM
  • BGreader, do you know the website name? I would love to know how Eli is doing.

    -- Posted by littlebit77 on Fri, Oct 1, 2010, at 2:54 PM
  • www.caringbridge.org visit: elihardwick

    -- Posted by BGreader on Fri, Oct 1, 2010, at 3:06 PM
  • Thank you so much!

    -- Posted by littlebit77 on Fri, Oct 1, 2010, at 3:19 PM
  • My thoughts and prayers go out to Laurie and family. Also wanted to say to the person or persons involved that we are praying for you also. This is one of those accidents that you never want to hear of but unfortunately happens.Praying for you all.

    -- Posted by cshafer on Fri, Oct 1, 2010, at 4:34 PM
  • BGreader, I think they have a fence up now!

    -- Posted by activereader on Fri, Oct 1, 2010, at 6:34 PM
  • Fig and laurie are great people. On their website their first entry was telling the driver it wasn't their fault, and if she needs anything she can call them any time. A lot of people can take an example from these two...they are great people. Eli is a strong kid with a great support system, it looks like all of greencastle is pulling for the little guy. Family's in my thoughts

    -- Posted by elkylane on Sat, Oct 2, 2010, at 8:08 AM
  • Dear Banner Graphic, please photograph and write a nice story about the fence that was put up at the sports park. The folks that installed it and paid for it deserve the acknowledgment. I love that this community finally found something to agree on and work together on.

    Thank you.

    -- Posted by townielove on Sat, Oct 2, 2010, at 2:16 PM
  • My daughter is in Eli's class at Deer Meadow. He's such a sweet kid. We will keep him and his family in our prayers.

    -- Posted by dminartz on Sat, Oct 2, 2010, at 9:09 PM
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