By By Adam Prestridge
John "J.T." Thompson, junior at Northview High School, who was involved in a serious one-vehicle accident last Friday on the way to school is back home recovering, according to Northview High School head football coach Cody Keene.
Thompson, who is a lineman and linebacker for the Chiefs, was on his way to school early Friday morning when he lost control of his vehicle and left the roadway. According to Florida State Trooper Gary Carnely, the Saturn Thompson was driving apparently then landed in a culvert, struck a tree and flipped several times and he was ejected before the vehicle to a stop upside down and pinned him beneath the car.
It was a scary moment for both faculty members and students at Northview Friday as they eagerly awaited news of Thompson's condition, which principal Gayle Weaver announced over the intercom throughout the day.
"John is doing good," Keene said. "He is out of the hospital."
Keene said Thompson went home Sunday afternoon, but was able to visit with him at West Florida Hospital on Saturday. He said seeing him over the weekend made him optimistic for Thompson's recovery.
"He looked a lot better when I saw him Saturday," Keene said. "It's great to hear that he's back home. He is a good young man."
Friday afternoon, Weaver said Thompson was awake and talking at the hospital, but showed worried about his football jersey he was wearing at the time of the wreck.
"J.T. was concerned about his football jersey," Weaver said Friday. "He was wearing his game jersey at the time of the accident and the paramedics had to cut it to help him. That's a good sign."
The Chiefs held their home opener against the Freeport Bulldogs and won 26-7.
Keene said he is looking forward to having Thompson back and school and on the football field when time permits.
"Hopefully he'll come back to school soon," he said.
(Sports editor Matthew Nascone contributed to this article.).