Two killed, two injured in crash near Counce

Sept. 12– Two children from Morris Chapel in Hardin County were killed in a two-vehicle crash Sunday on Tenn. 57, six miles west of Counce, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Killed were Kala Hopper, 16, and Joseph L. Kirk, 9. They were passengers in a 1991 Ford Escort four-door sedan driven by Kelsie M. Stricklin, 18, also of Morris Chapel.

Trooper Charles Stewart, the investigating officer, reported Stricklin was driving east on Tenn. 57 in a 55 mph zone, approaching the intersection of Tenn. 142. A 2003 Ford F-150 pickup pulling a trailer carrying an all-terrain vehicle and driven by Jackie G. Fowler, 50, of Michie, was westbound on Tenn. 57.

Stricklin turned into Fowler’s path and the F-150 hit the Escort in the passenger side doors at 6:45 p.m.

Hopper was in the right front passenger seat and Kirk in the right rear passenger seat. Both were wearing seat belts.

Christopher Moffett, 2, of Morris Chapel, was in a child safety seat in the left rear passenger seat of the Escort and was reported injured, as was Stricklin who was also wearing a seat belt.

Fowler, the driver of the pickup, was wearing a seat belt and was not reported injured.