SUV strikes, critically injures 13-year-old girl in Springfield Twp.; OSP suspects alcohol

Alcohol is a possible factor after a 13-year-old girl was struck by an SUV Saturday evening, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Springfield Post.

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The girl suffered critical injuries in the crash reported shortly after 7:40 p.m. in the 3000 block of Lower Valley Pike. She was struck by a 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Michael S. Wade. Troopers said they believe that Wade was under the influence of alcohol.

Credit: MARSHALL GORBY / STAFF

Credit: MARSHALL GORBY / STAFF

The teen had been with her family tubing down the Mad River. The girl got out of the water to deflate her inner tube when she was hit by the Chevrolet Tahoe, troopers said.

The girl, whose name was not released, was taken by CareFlight to a Dayton hospital. At last check, she was listed in critical but stable condition, according to the highway patrol.

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Lower Valley Pike was shut down in both directions between state Route 4 and Old Mill Road while troopers investigated.

The driver of the Tahoe was possibly impaired, according to the highway patrol, and he also requested a medic following the pedestrian crash.

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