Posted on 08/21/2005 4:12:00 AM PDT by Samwise
Two people were killed and another was injured in a hit-and-run accident police said involved numerous bizarre twists.
Now, police are trying to sort through a confusing situation that may have also involved a cover-up confession.
Neighbors said a mother and daughter were fighting in the middle of Hillside Avenue, near 25th Street, early Saturday morning over money and the treatment of two children.
Officials said a car plowed into the women, killing them. But, the story gets even more confusing from there.
"I saw two ladies in the middle of the street arguing and they got hit by a car," witness William Dullen said. "Security shot at them three or four times and they sped off."
Jan Bailey, 49, and her daughter, Torrie Bailey, 30, were hit by the car, as was a security guard at an apartment complex nearby, identified as Alex Murdock, 22.
Murdock's leg was broken in the incident.
A second security guard was unharmed, but police believe he opened fire at the vehicle.
According to police, both women died from the impact of the car striking them.
However, the coroner's report revealed something interesting to investigators, RTV6's Jennifer Carmack reported.
The coroner's report indicated one of the victims had suffered a gunshot wound to the head.
"It's very important that we find out when that gunshot wound happened -- before, after or during the impact," Indianapolis police Sgt. Steve Staletovich said. "That could really make a difference if there's any charges filed against whoever fired that gun."
Police said shortly after the accident, Joseph Hatton called police and told them he was the driver.
However, a second confession came from Hatton's stepson, Tommy Whitfield, who officials said admitted he was the driver.
"He was very distraught, very remorseful according to the accident investigators. He fled the scene because he was being fired at," Staletovich said.
Torrie Bailey leaves behind a 12-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter.
"My heart just goes out to them," neighbor Lisa Garvin said. "I pray to God that they're with somebody that can keep them safe."
Charges against Hatton were dropped. He was released from jail early Saturday morning.
Whitfield had not been charged as of Saturday evening. A prosecutor will decide what charges, if any, to file against Whitfield.
Watch RTV6 for updates to this story.
Just Damn!
The Star has a better write-up, but I can't post it. Here's the llink. I read it all, and I'm still shaking my head.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050821/NEWS01/508210530
Not long ago at our neighborhood YMCA (beautiful newer facility), a mother and daughter were really having it out in the parking lot; it was even getting physical.
At this YMCA, there is a fine young man who teaches Okinawan karate (shito ryu.....he's a rare 3rd degree black belt in the art). His students include my wife and three teen sons. Anyway........he walks outside and separates 'em. Daughter started to give him lip until she really took a look at him and saw the black belt around his waist.
They left....pronto. All he did was talk calmly to them. He said later he knew that family arguments like that can be the most volatile of confrontations.
Apparently....... :^)
I feel sorry for the kid who hit them and the children who saw it all. Those little ones are going to have a very warped perception of life.
Paging Gil Grissom...
The "security" guard firing his weapon is a serious problem under the apparent circumstances...
Who ever heard of ... I'm speechless.
Ya' think?
I was thinking the same thing :-)
This reads like a CSI episode.
In fact he did make a reference to something akin to this in the show about the 'dead co-ed and the dumpster'.
What was that old law school question about the man jumping out a window only to be hit by a shotgun blast coming out the window of the floor below ... snopes
So what we have in Indy is life imitating art?
Paul Harvey also featured that one on one of his shows. I recall hearing that on the radio a few years ago.
Either the guard is a lousy shot or it just wasn't that woman's day. What a weird story it is.....strange!
That Snopes story gave me a headache. LOL
The more you read, the weirder it gets.
"I saw two ladies in the middle of the street arguing and they got hit by a car," witness William Dullen said. "Security shot at them three or four times and they sped off."
is awfully confusing. I can't tell if security shot at the ladies or the car or both. First time I read it, I thought "shot at them" must surely mean that they got security camera shots.
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