A van carrying staff members of East Central Community College was involved in a traffic accident Friday at about 3 p.m. as the group returned from the campus of East Mississippi Community College.
ECCC President Dr. Phil Sutphin said in an e-mail the life of one member of the group, Joey Kenna, was saved by less injured staffers.
"Joey Kenna, who is one of our WIRED Grant employees, suffered a severed artery in his left arm as a result of the crash," said Sutphin. "Other staffers who weren't as badly injured were able to apply a tourniquet that most assuredly kept him from bleeding to death."
The accident occurred at 3 p.m. on the Hwy. 25 bypass north of Louisville. Sutphin said another vehicle crossed the highway and hit the rear quarter panel of the ECCC-owned van. The impact caused the van to roll over several times causing injuries of varying degrees to everyone inside.
Kenna of Forest, Roger Whitlock of Union and Lucretia Williams of Lena had the most serious injuries of the eight.
Kenna, who was first transported to a Louisville hospital, was later sent by air ambulance to University Medical Center in Jackson where he underwent successful surgery Friday night. His left arm was surgically repaired with a vein from his leg. He was admitted into a private room Saturday night and is expected to be discharged from the hospital by mid-week.
Whitlock and Williams were first sent to a Starkville hospital and later transported to UMC by land ambulance. Tina Harris of Decatur was first sent to a Louisville hospital and released Friday night. However she received additional treatment at Rush Foundation Hospital in Meridian during the weekend.
Four other passengers, Joe Barrett, Chris Clark and Kimberly Mott, all of Decatur, and Joseph Knight of Union were treated and released at a Louisville hospital Friday night.
"Williams will return to UMC for reconstructive facial surgery," Sutphin said. "All are very fortunate to have escaped with the injuries they received; it could have been so much worse."
The staff members were returning from a meeting on the Mayhew campus of EMCC when the accident occurred.
Local News
ECCC staff members recovering from accident
- Local News
-
-
Morning update for Wednesday, May 30, 2012
-
In memory of those who died
A 21-gun salute is a common part of any Memorial Day program.
But the release of 21 snow white doves representing the peace we enjoy today because of those who have fallen in battle was a rare treat of the Second Annual Memorial Day Program held Monday afternoon at Magnolia Cemetery in Meridian. -
Choctaw Expressions to be showcased
The Mississippi Craft Center will present Choctaw Expressions as the featured cultural and historical exhibit for the month of June.
The presentation will showcase the rich and unique heritage of the Mississippi Choctaw Indians with traditional cultural arts and artifacts. The exhibition is set to open to the public on Friday, June 1 at 10 a.m. The Mississippi Craft Center, located in Ridgeland, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission and will highlight this unique event through June 30. -
Earth’s Bounty Festival Saturday
Residents in the Meridian area will have the opportunity to purchase locally grown or made products throughout the summer and fall through the Earth’s Bounty festival.
The expanded version of the current farmer's market will take place on the first Saturday of every month from June-November at Singing Brakeman Park in Meridian near Union Station. -
WWI soldier’s family receives Purple Heart
About three weeks before the end of WW I, two young officers with the 320 Machine Gun Battalion crept through the battered moonscape of France on a mission to find new positions for their weapons.
-
Man dies of gunshot wound
Investigators with the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department are investigating a shooting incident that occurred Saturday morning in which one person died.
- Marriages & Divorces: Sunday, May 27, 2012
-
Leading Edges uses technology to enhance advertising
If local advertising agency Leading Edges has its way, pretty soon you will be using your iPhone or iPad to bring its clients' ads to life.
-
Meridian soldier to receive posthumous Purple Heart
- Partnership in place for safety blitz
- More Local News Headlines
-
Patz Suspect's Sister: I Went to Police in 1980s
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
