Reports that five members of the same family suffered only minor injuries in a Sunday (July 26) head-on collision on U.S. 31 are apparently inaccurate.
Official reports showed that Mary Doyle of Century, Fla. – the driver of one of the vehicles involved in the 3 p.m. crash – was treated and released at North Baldwin Infirmary in Bay Minette.
An adult passenger in Doyle’s vehicle, as well as Doyle’s three children, were likewise examined, treated and released at Atmore Community Hospital.
But Doyle’s mother said her daughter and one of her grandchildren continued to complain of pain and discomfort after their medical releases, and both were reportedly taken by private vehicle to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Fla.
Juanita McCraw Watson, who traveled to Florida from Texas after learning of the violent mishap, said her daughter underwent emergency surgery to repair a shattered foot. Her 3-year-old grandchild, who was strapped in directly behind his mother, was found to have a broken collar bone, a concussion and skin burns from the restraining straps of his carrier.
“Their injuries weren’t life-threatening, but they were life-altering,” Mrs. Watson said
She added Wednesday evening (July 29) that her daughter is “stable now, still in immense pain,” after having “5 or 6 screws placed in her foot to put the bones together.”
The 3-year-old is reportedly back home with his family.
Doyle had to be cut from the cab of the heavy duty Dodge pickup she was driving after the truck and a Jeep Cherokee, driven by Joseph D. Barnes of Atmore, collided head-on about a half-mile west of Atmore Country Club.
Barnes, who also had to be cut from his vehicle, was airlifted from the wreck site to Sacred Heart, where last reports were that he remained in “very critical” condition.
For a more-detailed follow-up on the crash, see the August 5 edition of Atmore News.