Teens injured in game of car tag

By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Hillsboro police chief Dan Kinning had a message for teens who play car tag after six youths were injured in a two-car accident Jan. 30.

“It’s dangerous,” Kinning said. “Not only should they consider their own welfare and welfare of those who are with them, but the welfare of people who share the street with them.”

Kinning said a 2011 Dodge Dakota driven by Kolton W. Harms, 17, was chasing a 2002 Volkswagen Beetle driven by Kassidy Trapani, 17, westbound on W. Grand Ave. when the accident happened at the intersection of Grand Ave. and Date St.

The Dakota, too close behind the Beetle when both attempted to turn left onto Date St., struck the driver’s side of the Beetle.

“One car went short and one went wide,” Kinning said.

Both vehicles ran off the road into a yard on the west side of Date St., the Beetle striking a tree.

Kinning said both drivers were cited for reckless driving and additional charges may be filed when the investigation is complete.

“Not everybody was being truthful and cooperative as we sorted it out,” Kinning said.

Besides the drivers, Trinity Bisbee, 15, and Anna Baugh, 16, passengers in the Dakota, and Jasmine Copenhaver, 15, and Ryleigh Petersen, 13, passengers in the Beetle, were injured.

Petersen and Trapani were taken to Hillsboro Community Hospital. Copenhaver and Baugh were taken to St. Luke hospital in Marion. Harms was taken to St. Luke by his mother and Brisbee was taken to HCH by her father.

Fillow Cruz, 13, also a passenger in the Beetle, left the scene and was found by firefighters at his home. Cruz did not report injury.