Legislator’s child struck by vehicle

The eight year old daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Joey Hensley was hit  by an oncoming vehicle Tuesday in an accident in front of the family home in Hohenwald.  Dr. Hensley serves the 70th District as state representative.

A witness, Troy Walton, said he passed the home traveling east on Highway 20 in Hohenwald, and saw Jenna Hensley standing by the mailbox where she had collected mail for the family.

The girl crossed the road behind the Walton vehicle into the path of an oncoming car driven by John Tracy Odem of Lawrenceburg, Walton said.

She was struck on the passenger side, front bumper, as he slid sideways in an attempt to miss her, Officer Earl Taylor of the Hohenwald Police Department reported.

Odem recently returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, Taylor also said.

Jenna Hensley was airlifted by Life Flight helicopter to Vanderbilt Medical Center where it was reported, she suffered a broken right leg and multiple internal injuries.

State Representative Dr. Hensley said the family has everything they need, Susan Story of his Nashville office said Wednesday, but Dr. Hensley did ask the community to pray for their little girl as she remained in ICU at the Nashville hospital.

An update Friday on a family member's Facebook indicated Jenna was talking and eating, a positive sign for the family who was concerned at her lack of alertness on Thursday.

Hohenwald’s First Responders, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department, Maury Regional Emergency Management Service officials assisted Captain Mike Simmons, Officer Taylor and Sgt. David Henley at the scene.