A 15-year-old Gordon Lee High School student remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries following a weekend golf cart crash in Chickamauga that injured five young people, according to WTVC NewsChannel 9.
The crash happened around 7:14 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, on Old Homestead Drive near Henderson Lane in Walker County.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, the golf cart was traveling south on Old Homestead Drive when it overturned while negotiating a left-hand curve.
The 15-year-old was seriously injured and transported to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, where he underwent brain surgery following the crash, according to a GoFundMe established to assist his family.
Four other young people were also transported to the hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson told WTVC NewsChannel 9 that all but one of those involved in the crash have since been released from the hospital.
As the injured student continues his recovery, the Gordon Lee High School community has rallied around him and the other families affected by the crash.
Gordon Lee High School Principal Michael Langston told WTVC NewsChannel 9 that an estimated 50 to 75 students and adults gathered at Erlanger Saturday night to support the families.
“I think one thing great about Gordon Lee High School is we’re a family, and when somebody in your family is hurting, everybody’s hurting,” Langston told NewsChannel 9.
That support continued Monday as students returned to school. Langston said students have been coming into his office to take a moment to gather their thoughts or speak with administrators and counselors as they process what happened.
Langston said the school community has also been encouraged by positive developments in the injured student’s condition.
“We believe in prayer, and we believe prayer works,” Langston told NewsChannel 9. “Several of the kids were able to go home Saturday night, and we have one young man who’s still there fighting, and through prayer, some positive things are happening.”
The school is also helping coordinate donations for the families, with money collected through the school going directly to those affected, according to NewsChannel 9.
A GoFundMe has been established to assist the hospitalized student’s family with medical expenses as he continues his recovery. His family is also asking the community for continued prayers.
The crash remains under investigation by the Georgia State Patrol and Chickamauga Police Department.
Information and interview material for this report was provided in part by WTVC NewsChannel 9 in Chattanooga.