(KNOX CO.) – Saturday at approximately 9:18 p.m., Indiana State Police responded to a vehicle verses pedestrian crash on US 41 south of Hess Road involving a Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy.
The investigation revealed the sheriff’s deputy was responding to a crash with unknown injuries in the area of US 41 and Cottonwood Lane. The deputy was south of Vincennes and traveling north on US 41.
The sheriff’s deputy had his emergency lights activated. As the deputy approached the area of Hess Road, a male wearing dark clothing walked from the median into the deputy’s lane of travel.
The sheriff’s deputy braked but couldn’t avoid striking the pedestrian 6-year-old Kenneth W. McGiffen, of Vincennes. McGiffen was pronounced dead at the scene by the Knox County Coroner.
Further investigation revealed GcGiffen had been traveling on US 41 and for unknown reasons drove off the roadway near Cottonwood Lane and struck a tree and fence. He left the scene of the crash and was attempting to cross US 41 when he was struck.
The original crash was approximately ¼ mile away from the crash involving the pedestrian and the sheriff’s deputy.
The investigation is continuing.
Investigating Officer: Trooper Nick Hatfield, Indiana State Police
Assisting Officer: Sergeant Kylen Compton, Indiana State Police
Assisting Agencies: Knox County Coroner’s Office and Knox County Sheriff’s Office
