Franklin High School rising junior and cross-country athlete Ethan Farrell was critically injured in a head-on collision on Cowee Mountain last week.
Farrell was driving north on US-441 on Saturday, July 25 when his car hydroplaned, causing him to hit a southbound vehicle. He was rushed to Mission Hospital in Asheville for emergency surgery to relieve pressure on the left side of his brain.
Once he was out of sedation, he was able to move the fingers and toes on his left side – a positive sign, but it will take more time to know exactly how severe his injuries are, according to the family.
Shawn Farrell, Ethan’s father, has expressed his gratitude to the community for their immediate assistance with Ethan’s recovery, including the first responders who arrived at the scene quickly, and his cross-country team and coach for visiting him in the hospital. With his son’s hometown behind him, Shawn is confident that Ethan will come back strong from this accident.
“We are so grateful for the outpouring of support, love and prayers,” he said. “Please know that the prayers are working and to keep them up. Ethan is a strong young man and a fighter.”
The N.C. Highway Patrol accident report was not available by press time.