Identity of man injured in wreck released
by Kellen Moore
Trooper David Searcy of the N.C. Highway Patrol identified a motorcycle rider injured Thursday in a head-on collision with a car as 65-year-old Walter Nealy of Boone.
Nealy was airlifted to Johnson City (Tenn.) Medical Center after a 2:15 p.m. wreck Thursday on U.S. 321 south of Bethel Road.
Searcy said it appears Nealy's motorcycle crossed the center line into the path of a Ford car that was traveling at about 50 mph.
The car driver, 21-year-old Christian Haithcock of Elk Park, suffered pain to his wrist and neck but refused transport to the hospital, Searcy said.
Wings Air Rescue picked up Nealy from a site near the scene of the crash.
Nealy's name was withheld Thursday until his family could be notified.
Nealy, who goes by the name Barry, is the director of missions for the Three Forks Baptist Association.
Pastor Bud Russell of Mount Vernon Baptist Church posted on the association page that Nealy was stable Friday afternoon but suffering from a cracked vertebrae in his neck, a collapsed lung and a broken pelvis. He underwent surgery Friday before returning to the intensive care unit, Russell wrote.
Searcy confirmed that Nealy was still hospitalized at Johnson City Medical Center as of Friday night.
Nealy was airlifted to Johnson City (Tenn.) Medical Center after a 2:15 p.m. wreck Thursday on U.S. 321 south of Bethel Road.
Searcy said it appears Nealy's motorcycle crossed the center line into the path of a Ford car that was traveling at about 50 mph.
The car driver, 21-year-old Christian Haithcock of Elk Park, suffered pain to his wrist and neck but refused transport to the hospital, Searcy said.
Wings Air Rescue picked up Nealy from a site near the scene of the crash.
Nealy's name was withheld Thursday until his family could be notified.
Nealy, who goes by the name Barry, is the director of missions for the Three Forks Baptist Association.
Pastor Bud Russell of Mount Vernon Baptist Church posted on the association page that Nealy was stable Friday afternoon but suffering from a cracked vertebrae in his neck, a collapsed lung and a broken pelvis. He underwent surgery Friday before returning to the intensive care unit, Russell wrote.
Searcy confirmed that Nealy was still hospitalized at Johnson City Medical Center as of Friday night.