FHS junior drives off bridge: Fayetteville student in critical condition after wreck
Posted on Saturday, November 1, 2008
BROOKE McNEELY Northwest Arkansas Times A tow truck carries off the Honda Accord of 16-year-old Fayetteville High School junior Aaron Leslie Friday morning after he drove off Huntsville Road into the White River on his way to school. Leslie was taken to Washington Regional Medical Center and was in critical condition Friday afternoon.
A Fayetteville High School student was critically injured Friday morning after driving his car off a bridge and landing in the White River.
Police said 16-year-old Aaron Leslie was traveling westbound in a Honda Accord on Huntsville Road just after 7 a. m. He reportedly crossed over the eastbound lane while approaching a bridge before traveling off the roadway and landing in the White River. The accident happened just inside the Fayetteville city limits.
Kimberly Jackson, a witness who stopped to help, said Leslie was submerged for about 15 minutes before he was pulled to the surface.
Though Central Emergency Medical Service workers were able to establish vital signs, Leslie’s prognosis is undetermined. As of 6 p. m. Friday, he was still being treated at the Washington Regional Medical Center and was listed in critical condition.
According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, critical condition means “ vital signs are unstable and not within normal limits. Patient may be unconscious. Indicators are unfavorable. ”
Fayetteville police Sgt. Shannon Gabbard said several witnesses who saw the accident stopped to render help.
“ One was an off-duty deputy who jumped out of her vehicle and into the water, ” he said. “ A few other folks did the same thing. They turned the car sideways and were able to free him from the vehicle. ”
Jackson and her husband James “ Jimbo” Jackson were among the first witnesses at the scene. They, along with their son and a friend, were traveling two cars behind Leslie’s vehicle when the accident occurred.
“ When I saw that car go over the bridge, I thought the person inside was going to die, ” Jimbo Jackson said. “ I stopped and hollered down to see if he was OK, but I didn’t get an answer. That’s when I knew what I’d be up against. ”
He stood on the side of the road and flagged down several drivers to assist, while his wife dialed 911. He then raced down a hill and into the water.
“ I couldn’t get to the car door so I started trying to break windows, but that didn’t work, ” he said. “ Finally, about four or five people got in the water and helped me turn the vehicle on its side. That’s when I saw a shoe floating on top of the water. I went over to pick it up and sure enough, there was a leg attached. ”
Jimbo Jackson said he pulled Leslie from the vehicle by one leg and took him to a nearby riverbank, where emergency service workers were waiting. They immediately began performing CPR.
“ I thought he was dead, ” Jimbo Jackson said. “ He was silver in color and wasn’t breathing. They were still performing CPR on him by hand, even after about 15 or 20 minutes. Somehow, they were able to gain a pulse. ”
Accident reconstructionists from the Fayetteville Police Department investigated the scene, but as of Friday evening, an incident report wasn’t available.
Kimberly Jackson said she believes Leslie swerved to miss an oncoming vehicle.
“ An 18-wheeler was coming from the opposite direction, ” she said. “ I think the boy thought it was coming into his lane, so he swerved and lost control. ”
Witnesses said the driver of the 18-wheeler didn’t stop and continued driving eastbound.
Alan Wilbourn, a spokesman for the Fayetteville School District, said the Fayetteville High School junior has been actively involved in the school’s agriculture department.
“ Our prayers are with his family, and hopefully this will have a good outcome, ” he said.
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