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City worker recovering after tree accident

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — A Lawrenceville city worker who was seriously hurt after a falling tree limb crushed his truck is alert and talking to family members.

"He's in good spirits and has a lot of  family and people to support him and his wife, Mandy," said Otis Johnson's brother-in-law, James Horn.

Horn spoke with Channel 2's Tom Regan outside Gwinnett Medical Center where worker Johnson is in critical condition with injuries to his head and face.

The 33-year old city meter service  employee was driving his truck on a Lawrenceville street Monday when high winds and rain toppled a tree limb. It smashed onto the roof and windshield of the truck. Johnson lost control and veered into two other vehicles.

"They did surgery last night to remove pressure from his brain and tonight, they're doing facial surgery, " said Horn.

Horn said his brother-in-law remembers the freak accident, despite a severe head injury.

"The whole family is shocked by what happened and are grateful he came through (because) it could have been a lot worse," said Horn.