Teens remain critical after wreck – Smith, McBride still at Erlanger
Two weeks after the accident that nearly claimed their lives, two local teens remain critical, both under treatment at Erlanger Medical Center with their families waiting nearby for any change in their conditions.
The victims, Cody Allen Smith, 19, and Charles McBride, 19, are listed in critical condition in the trauma intensive care unit of Erlanger in Chattanooga where they have remained since being airlifted there by LifeForce helicopter on March 24.
The teens were injured in a head-on collision on King Road near Morrison when McBride?s pickup struck an oncoming Heather Farms nursery truck. The driver of the nursery truck, described only as a Hispanic male, ran away from the accident scene even though he was not at fault. He could face charges of leaving the scene of an accident and failure to render aid if he is caught as lawmen are actively searching for him.
According to Smith?s grandmother, Kay Holt, the fact the other driver fled the scene and left the boys to die in the twisted wreckage of the pickup has been painful to both families.
?How can someone run off and just leave a couple of boys there for dead?? Holt questioned. ?I don?t care whose fault it is, whether you?re legal or illegal, you just don?t leave them there like that.?
According to Holt, her grandson has undergone five surgeries thus far and has recently been taken off a respirator. He is only partially conscious. He suffered many injuries including the loss of his spleen, broken leg and foot, head and face injuries.
?He can tell who I am because I?ll go in the room and tell him, ?Cody Allen, granny is here and she loves you,? and he?ll try to move his head like he?s going to follow me,? Holt said.
McBride is still on a respirator, Holt said, noting he has undergone eight surgeries and has very severe lower-body injuries. Given their weakened conditions, infection is a major concern so relatives are instructed to wash their hands anytime they go into the intensive care unit.
Family members have stayed at the hospital since the accident. Among those are Smith?s mother, Mealonie Lowry, who, less than eight years ago, lost her then 13-year-old daughter, Chelsie Smith, who was among three people slain in the Myers Lane triple murders.
The local Moose Lodge is accepting donations to help the families with ongoing medical expenses. Around $600 has been raised thus far. To donate, stop by the Moose Lodge on Smithville Highway during regular business hours from noon to 11 p.m. every day, or call 668-9995.