Muskogee coach says he is not a monster

[Porky]

MUSKOGEE -- Muskogee High School football coach Matt Hennesy did everything he was supposed to do except notify law enforcement after a 7-year-old boy ran into the front of his SUV Thursday night, police say.

Chase Thornton was treated and released at Muskogee Regional Medical Center where he arrived around 6:40 p.m., a hospital spokesman said.

Officer Brad Holt said Thornton sustained a broken collar bone, some shoulder and leg abrasions and a bump on the head.

Holt said the incident was not a hit and run; it was just an accident which occurred at the Indian Bowl athletic complex as Hennesy was backing out of a parking place.

Holt said Hennesy stopped when the accident occurred, called the boy's father, and assisted with medical treatment by taking the boy to the school's athletic trainer.

Hennesy said the boy's father tried to press charges later by filing a hit and run report.

Police plan to turn over their report to the DA Friday afternoon.

Hennesy was quoted in Friday's Muskogee Phoenix as saying, ``I ought to be dealing with tomorrow night's game - not this crap.''

He told the Tulsa World Friday that the comment was taken out of context.

``The comment had to do with dealing with (hit and run) police reports and her questions about me not caring about this kid,'' Hennesy said. ``She made me look like a monster.

``I've had probably 50 calls today. Kids do mean a lot to me.''

Superintendent Mike Garde and Hennesy said they weren't aware police should be notified when an injury accident occurs on school property.

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