January 9th

By now, many of you know that my little brother, DJ, was in a bad auto accident 2 days ago. I copied this from the waltonsun.com.

Wreck closes 98 for LifeFlight

January 8, 2009 - 12:03 PM

Suzanne Preston

U.S. Highway 98 was closed for a short period on Jan 7 due to an accident that occurred at the intersection at Mussett Bayou Road.

According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol report, Glenn Stephens, 50, of Santa Rosa Beach, was attempting to cross Highway 98 at Mussett Bayou in a Sandestin Catering truck. David Cook, 21, of Chipley, Fla. Was eastbound in a truck owned by Cross Country Termite.

The Sandestin truck pulled into the path of the oncoming vehicle. Cook was unable to avoid impact.

Click here for a photo gallery.

Walton County Sheriff’s Deputy Bill Chapman said Stephens stated he did not see the oncoming truck and pulled into its path.

The vehicles collided then swerved off the highway and landed on the south side off the roadway.

The Sandestin truck came to a stop short of the tree line.

Cook’s vehicle struck a tree causing serious damage to the front of his truck and trapping him in the vehicle.

South Walton firefighters had to use hydraulic extrication tools to free Cook.

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office and the SWFD closed both eastbound and westbound lanes temporarily so Cook could be airlifted to Sacred Heart in Pensacola.

Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash but the investigation is continuing.

I posted a few photos and the above news article on my facebook profile yesterday. However, I thought it would be nice to be able update everyone at one time so I decided to begin a "blog". I spoke with my sister-in-law, Rachel, and she said DJ is doing some better today. He had 2 sessions of physical therapy and was feeling a tremendous amount of pain from all of the movement. After a shot of morphine and some lunch, he began to feel much better and was able to rest. Even though Rachel has not left his side, he constantly calls out for her and his family. He just doesn't want to be alone.
On several occasions he has asked for these items: his cell phone, Oakley sun glasses and his company truck; the truck is totaled and the cell phone & sun glasses are missing. He also stated he was ready to go to work and told his surgeon his schedule for the next few days. Of course, he really didn't understand the extent of his injuries at the time. It hasn't began to sink in yet.

He is getting excellent care at the hospital. My sister told me that DJ was requesting Gatorade today, so she went to the nurses station to see if they could get some for him. She later discovered that the nurse went down to the cafeteria and purchased one of every available flavor and brought it to him. I thought that it was really awesome for her to take the time to provide him with his favorite drink.

Overall, we are very thankful that he is on the mend. His injuries could have been much worse, so for that I am thankful.I know that God sent his angels to protect him otherwise, he would not be here today. His recovery is going to take some time, as you can imagine, the healing process for his injuries will take time. I just pray that he will be able to come home soon. The dr's say that when is able to get into a wheelchair and move around on his own, they will send him home. So that is a goal.
If any one has questions, just email me... tirzahcollins@gmail.com