Teen critically injured in single-vehicle wreck

By Staff
Three teen-agers from the Martin area of Lauderdale County were involved in a one-vehicle accident Friday, and one was critically injured.
Passenger Colby Smith, 16, was airlifted to University Medical Center in Jackson. Both of his legs were partially severed below the knees, according to Maj. Ward Calhoun of the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department.
The other teen, Dustin Killen, 15, and Joshua Hendon, 14, were both treated for minor injuries at a local hospital emergency room and released, Calhoun said.
The accident occurred at about 10 p.m. when the 1990 Ford F-150 truck driven by Killen struck a bridge guardrail on Wildcat Road. The rail pierced the front of the truck and tore through the passenger-side door, where Smith was sitting with his seat belt unbuckled.
Smith was knocked out of the truck and fell about 15 feet off the bridge.
Metro Ambulance, the Martin Volunteer Fire Department and the sheriff's department responded to the scene.
Calhoun said the accident is under investigation.
Steve Gillespie