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17-year-old north Georgia teen fights for his life after car accident

By Lauren Davis
By Lauren Davis

GILMER COUNTY, Ga. — A community is coming together to support a teenager who remains in critical condition after an accident in Gilmer County.

Luke Crump is a student at Gilmer High School and played for the football team. Crump was driving home Tuesday night when his truck flipped on Ga. Hwy. 52.

The 17-year-old was taken by life flight to Kennestone Hospital and almost didn't make it.

"They took him into surgery Thursday morning and told the family they weren't sure he would come out of it," said his aunt Gina Pendley.

Channel 2's Lauren Davis attended a vigil held Sunday night for Crump. Nearly 300 people showed up to pray for Crump and his family.

It isn't the first show of support from the community since the accident. Pendley told Davis his classmates poured into the hospital by Crump's side.

"You couldn't even get off the elevator one night they were all sleeping on the floor," she said.

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Their prayers continued for Crump to make a full recovery Sunday night at the vigil. Crump loves red, white and blue and wore the colors to his homecoming. Friends decorated the park in patriotic colors for him.

They also painted a wooden pallet for signatures, made T-shirts and had a bucket for donations. Fellow football players even partially shaved their heads because doctors had to shave Crump's head for surgery.

"To support him and not let him feel like he's left out," said Dawson Stephens.

The support means so much to Crump's family.

"These kids are amazing. They've sat there night and day just like we have," Pendley said.

Davis spoke with Crump's mother, who said he opened his eyes for the first time Sunday. His family is posting updates on Crump's progress on Facebook here. 

Cox Media Group

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