Oneonta, NY : Walton student, 14, badly injured in car crash on Sunday, 21st August, 2016

A Walton Central School student, Wade Hitt, 14, is “hanging on” in an Albany Hospital following a Sunday night crash in Franklin, his mother said Tuesday. A crowd-sourced funding campaign is underway as the family faces this latest in a series of medical crises.

State Police in Sidney public information officer Nathan Riegal said he could not identify any of those involved in the crash because it was policy to withhold names except in the case of an arrest or a fatality.

Anna Hitt of Walton said her son was in the back seat and another son, Blake, was driving. Blake's friend Dylan Wood, 18, also of Walton, was a front-seat passenger.

The crash occurred on county Route 21 in the town of Franklin when the pick-up truck being driven east swerved right for what the police said was an unknown reason. The driver overcompensated, crossing into the other lane where it struck a ditch and overturned onto the roof, Riegal said.

The driver and a front-seat passenger had minor injuries. The 14-year-old in the back seat was ejected and was transported to Albany Medical Center with head injuries. Riegal said the investigation continues, including determining whether seat belts were worn.

“We were trying to get back on our feet when this happened,” Anna Hitt told The Daily Star on Tuesday.

She said she had two major heart surgeries in the past 1½ years. Her 12-year old son, Alec, is in remission after treatment for cancer, also about 1½ years ago, she said.

She was healthy enough that in June she and husband Christopher adopted three foster children. The couple have five children of their own. He owns Hitt’s Carpet Cleaning in Walton.

The family has Medicaid insurance, she said.

“We have to pray to God” that the pressure on Wade’s brain from the head injuries stays down, Anna Hitt said.

Wednesday could be a peak day in his recovery, she said, adding that the first 72 hours after such injuries are the most dangerous.

“If he can pull through this, he will have a long road ahead of him,” she said. “I hope to God he turns a corner.”

If he continues to improve “he has a lot of options,” despite damage to his spleen and lungs, Hitt said.

The crash happened just outside the village of Franklin when Blake was driving home. There was a car coming at them, in the middle of the road, when he swerved to avoid a collision, Hitt said.

“I have lots of friends and family who are helping at home,” she said, but that she didn’t know how long she and family members can stay at the hospital living quarters.

A Go Fund Me campaign is a way to help Wade and the family meet unforeseen expenses.

“I don’t know what his needs will be,” she said.

Walton Central School Superintendent Roger Clough said Wade was scheduled to try out for the junior varsity football team.

“I am hoping for a speedy recovery” and that Wade returns to school as soon as possible, Clough said. The two others involved were 2016 Walton Central School graduates. Wade is going into ninth grade.

All three are good students and both graduates were really good athletes, involved in several sports, Clough said.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Wade.”


Source :
Walton student, 14, badly injured in car crash