By Steve Huffman
shuffman@salisburypost.com
ROCKWELL ó A Rockwell teen injured injured in December when hit by a car while walking continues to improve.
“It’s an answer to God’s prayers,” said Julie Zimmerman, the mother of Clinton Zimmerman.
Julie said her son is now eating and dialing the phone. He can’t talk because he has a trachea in his throat to help him breath.
But Julie said Clinton is writing and responding to questions while remaining hospitalized at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. He is out of the hospital’s intensive care unit, where he remained for several weeks following the accident.
Julie said that when she asked Clinton what he’d like to do more than anything, he immediately wrote: “Get out of here.”
Clinton also wrote, “I love you,” to his mother and addressed Amie Gobble, his boss at Dollar General in Rockwell, where he works part time, by writing: “Hi to Amie.”
Zimmerman said her son doesn’t know how he wound up in the hospital. For the time being, at least, he remembers nothing about the Dec. 10 accident.
According to the N.C. Highway Patrol, about 6:15 that night, Clinton was walking in the rain when he was struck by a car driven by Judy Huffman Lefler, 63, of 403 Joe St., Rockwell.
Troopers said Zimmerman was wearing dark clothes and walking in Lefler’s lane of travel. They emphasized that pedestrians should always walk facing traffic and should stay out of the roadway.
Julie said doctors say her son will likely remain in the hospital for another two or three weeks. She said she doesn’t think Clinton suffered brain damage in the accident, though there is concern about him using the left side of his body more than his right.
Julie said she wants to thank everyone for their prayers and cards. Anyone wishing to send cards can address them to: Clinton Zimmerman, 359 E. Main St., Rockwell, NC 28138.
Clinton, 18, is a senior at East Rowan High School.
Contact Steve Huffman at 704-797-4222.