By By Janet Little Cooper
A local man was critically injured when his own vehicle struck him in the early morning hours of Thanksgiving Day according to officials.
Blake L. Calloway, 24, of Walnut Hill, Fla., was lifeflighted to West Florida Hospital in critical condition following an accident that occurred at 2:07 a.m. at the intersection of Hwy. 29 and Roach Road in McDavid, Fla.
According to reports with the Florida Highway Patrol, Mary A. Greenwell, 18, of Century, Fla., was driving Calloway's 2002 Ford pick-up truck when the accident occurred.
"The truck was traveling north on Hwy. 29 in the outside lane, when Calloway ran out in front of it to try to stop it," FHP trooper J. Powers said. "The vehicle struck the pedestrian with the right front."
Greenwell and her passenger, Jody A. Simmons, 19, of Century, were not injured in the accident. Both the driver and passenger were wearing seatbelts at the time of the incident.
Calloway however, lost his right leg at the scene of the accident according to his mother, Tammy Calloway.
"He is out of ICU now and is in his own room," Calloway said. "He is doing good and is doing as well as can be expected. He is going to physical therapy and is working very hard with them. He is very determined and is ready to get home and back to work. The largest concern at this time is that he doesn't develop an infection or pneumonia."
Calloway also sustained numerous crushed bones in his face including his cheekbone and some damage to one of his eyes as well as suffering a concussion according to his mother.
"He has a long road of recovery ahead of him," Calloway said. "We are just so thankful that he is alive. He will possibly be facing surgery for his face in the near future. We will deal with that when it comes."
Calloway is a graduate of Northview High School and is employed with Masland Carpets in Atmore.
According to the FHP the accident is still under investigation and charges are pending.