PHOTO: The two surviving victims of Thursday's crash have emerged from comas, but they still have a long road to recovery! (Cheryl and Landon Reed | GoFundMe.com)
By Tyler Pruett, Managing Editor
RAINSVILLE, Ala. — Last Thursday, at around 3 pm, tragic accident occurred in Rainsville on Highway 35 during a severe thunderstorm. The storm displayed high winds and dumped several inches of rain in a short period of time, creating conditions that made hydroplaning likely.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Charles Ray Bramblett, 67 of Fyffe, was driving a 2005 Buick LeSabre, traveling in the west bound lane on Highway 35 when his vehicle hydroplaned. The Buick crossed the median, and struck a car traveling in the opposite lane.
The other vehicle, a 2009 Chevy Aveo, was driven by Cheryl Reed. Reed's mother, Patty Browder, 56, of Henagar was killed in the accident and pronounced dead on the scene. Reed's four-year-old son, Landon, was also in the vehicle. Both Reed and her son were transported to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, in critical condition.
Both Reed and her son were in a coma after the accident, but we are happy to report that they are responsive as of yesterday. Landon and Cheryl still have a steep hill to climb, however. Cheryl was placed in a private room yesterday, while Landon still remains in intensive care.
Landon's father has created a GoFundMe Page to raise money for the extensive surgeries and rehabilitation that the two will face. The mother will need facial reconstructive surgery. Visit the page here to donate.
Cheryl was also a manager at the Krystal's location in Fort Payne, and fellow employees and members of the community that interact with her regularly have rallied to help with the medical expenses.
Ken Mayo, a bus driver for Fort Payne City Schools, and David Barnes, a Fort Payne Police Officer were a couple of her customers.
"She never complained, she always did it our way, she was always cheerful," said Mayo.
Mayo and Barnes began immediately organizing help for the mother and child after the accident, along with the help of Fort Payne Krystal's.
"We just felt like we had to do something," explained Mayo.
The two approached the management of the Fort Payne Krystal's, who were all too happy to help their employee and her family. The group has organized a benefit car wash at Fort Payne Krystal's on Saturday, July 8th, 8 am till 4 pm with all proceeds going to aid the family in this time of need. Members of the Fort Payne Police Department, Krystal's Employees, and other private citizens will all be donating their time to help wash cars.
If you would like to contribute in any way; whether it be by washing cars, donating water or other beverages to the workers, etc. Please contact either Michelle: 256-653-8103 (Krystal Mgr), Dafiney: 256-996-2502 (Krystal Mgr), David Barnes: 256-996-0961 (Fort Payne Police Department), or Ken Mayo: 256-996-2561.
Be sure to help this family in their time of need, and have them in your prayers!
