By PEGGY KING
peggy.king@gaflnews.com
BYROMVILLE — Victims of a three-vehicle accident near here Wednesday are undergoing treatment in several hospitals, the Dispatch has learned.
Two children who were passengers in the Mustang that first struck a pickup truck then was hit by a tractor-trailer are patients at Egleston Children’s Hospital in Atlanta, according to a family friend.
Vickie Lamberth said she talked with the children’s father, Thad Kitchens, about lunchtime Thursday. He said his 7-year-old son, Rodney has a contusion on his brain and currently is using a breathing tube.
Pending the results of a CT scan, however, doctors are hopeful they can remove the tube soon, Ms. Lamberth said.
A younger brother, Micheal suffered a spinal fracture in the wreck. He reportedly cannot feel his legs, but he has been able to move them slightly so his doctors are hopeful the paralysis is only temporary and caused by swelling.
He required surgery to repair an intestinal tear, Ms. Lamberth added, and is being kept sedated.
The mother of the children, Michelle Kitchens, underwent surgery on both ankles Wednesday in an Albany hospital. Although she is in a lot of pain right now, her prognosis is good, Ms. Lamberth said.
Also injured in the mishap were Macon County Sheriff Charles Cannon and his wife, Joan. Cannon also underwent leg surgery in a Macon hospital, but is doing well, according to his brother, Harold Cannon.
Ms. Cannon is recovering from cracked ribs in Flint River Hospital in Montezuma.
According to the report filed by GSP Trooper Brent Womble, Ms. Kitchens’ vehicle apparently hydroplaned as she was traveling westbound on Hwy. 90 between Byromville and Montezuma. It was raining at the time.
She subsequently lost control and struck the GMC Sierra driven by Cannon, knocking the truck, which was pulling an empty trailer, off the road.
Ms. Kitchens’ vehicle, however, came to rest in the roadway, and a westbound tractor-trailer driver was unable to stop before he hit the car.
The truck driver and his passenger reportedly were uninjured.
