Update -- Child improves, but still hospitalized

UPDATE -- The condition of Devin Cox has been upgraded Friday following additional testing at Methodist Hospital. A family representative said Cox is alert and has been talking to family and friends. If she continues to improve, she may be allowed to go home Saturday.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE -- A Greencastle Middle School student was hospitalized in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle Thursday afternoon.

Devin Cox, a GMS sixth-grader and daughter of Darrin and Cathy Cox, was airlifted to Methodist Hospital with head and internal injuries after the accident on Zinc Mill Road south of Ind. 240.

Greencastle Police Chief Tom Sutherlin said the accident occurred around 4:15 p.m. about 100 feet south of the intersection. Officer Darrel Bunten reported that Jason Keeney, 22, Greencastle, was driving a Culligan delivery van eastbound on Ind. 240 when he slowed and turned right onto Zinc Mill Road.

Keeney told Bunten that he did not see Cox, who was walking south along the west side of the road with a friend.

The right front corner of the van hit Cox, and she was thrown about 10 feet by the impact, landing on the road.

Bunten happened to be near the accident scene, having made a traffic stop on Ind. 240. Sutherlin said someone was able to cross the highway to tell Bunten about the accident, and he was able to summon emergency personnel quickly.

“He was in the right spot at the right time,” Sutherlin said of the officer.

At Methodist Hospital, several friends and relatives of the Cox family were waiting with the family for the outcome of tests on the child.

Heather Bonebrake said that her daughter Shelby was walking with Devin when the accident occurred.

“They had gone to McDonald’s to eat,” she said of the two girls, “and had crossed Veteran’s Highway headed back to Devin’s when the truck came around the corner.”

Bonebrake said her daughter turned to speak to Cox when she saw the van and tried to pull her friend out of the way.

The girls were walking on the side of the road due to the absence of sidewalks in the area. Neither girl heard the approaching vehicle, Bonebrake said.

 Cox was moved to the critical care unit Thursday night, and more tests were planned for Friday.