Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 12, 1993 TAG: 9308130062
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ANDREA KUHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Adcock, a 1993 graduate of William Byrd High School and a member of the Terriers' Group AA state championship golf team, was on his way to the wedding rehearsal dinner of his girlfriend's brother on Friday when his 1986 Toyota pickup collided with a car driven by Clinton Carter on Hardy Road near Vinton.
Minutes later, Eddie Chitwood, a paramedic with the Roanoke County Fire Department who takes his jump bag with him even when he's off duty, happened upon the scene on his way to dinner at Smith Mountain Lake.
"Chris was in pretty critical shape," Chitwood said. "He was bleeding from his mouth, nose and both ears and was having a hard time breathing because of the blood and head injuries."
Adcock, who had planned to leave Aug. 28 for his freshman year and golf season at Emory & Henry College, suffered a broken jaw and collarbone, a skull fracture and dislocated knuckles on his left hand.
On Thursday, Adcock underwent surgery to repair a tear in his small intestine. Doctors also removed his appendix.
"I'm still going to Emory," Adcock said. "I'll just be a little bit late."
Jerry Adcock, Chris' father, said his son's recovery would take about four to six weeks, probably putting his college plans on hold until January.
Chitwood said he was glad to be in the right place at the right time.
"In my honest opinion, there is a possibility that he would not have survived," he said.
"I was very thankful when the [Hardy] lifesaving crew showed up," Chitwood said. "Being in a rural area, I had no idea how many were coming or if they'd have the right equipment. But they did a wonderful job."
Carter, 52, the driver of the other car, suffered a fractured right knee and femur, a dislocated hip and a crushed ankle and will spend about three weeks in the hospital.
Carter's wife, Brenda, said he told her he was traveling at about 35 mph when Adcock's truck crossed into his lane.
Jerry Adcock said his son may have been leaning over or asleep. "The doctors say the accident may never come back to him," he said. "We're just glad things are in a positive mode now."
by CNB