Teresa Williams
THOMASVILLE — Four City of Thomasville officials involved in Thursday’s fatal automobile incident are still recovering at Archbold Memorial Hospital.
Assistant City Manager of Utilities Don Atkinson, Assistant City Manager of Customer Service Lynn Williams, Executive Assistant Sylvia Jo DeLoach and City Engineer Jim Petrak were still at the hospital Friday afternoon, Communications Director Natalie Connell said.
“Don, Lynn and Jim are expected to remain at the hospital throughout the weekend and it does appear that each of them will require further treatment (surgery) next week,” she said.
Connell had not received word Friday afternoon on whether DeLoach would require a longer stay or additional treatment.
A hospital representative said all four remained in fair condition on Friday.
“We’ve seen some of the pics and are just amazed and thankful there were not more serious injuries to our city employees,” Connell said. “We know some employees will have a lengthy recovery process and we are thinking of them and their families during this time.”
The traffic incident occurred at approximately 8 a.m. Thursday near the intersection of Pinetree Boulevard and Remington Avenue.
Driver Leroy Mosley Jr. was involved in a four-vehicle incident that resulted in a flat tire on his vehicle, which made it pull to the left, officials said Thursday. He went through the intersection, attempted to recover and return to his lane when he struck a city bus transporting 11 employees head-on.
Atkinson, 51, was the driver and Williams, 50, Petrak, 61, and DeLoach, 62, were sitting near the front of the bus.
The seven other city officials were treated at the hospital and released. They were still recuperating and unavailable for comment Friday.
Mosley, 65, of Thomasville, was killed upon impact.
Mayor Pro Tem Camille Payne visited the hospital Thursday night and was headed back Friday afternoon.
All are “bummed up and sore” she said, and, though some will require additional surgery next week, they are all fortunate it was not worse.
“In talking with each one of them, I know it frightened them, but they all made the comment that they felt for Mr. Mosley’s family and were sorry that things worked out so badly for them.”
Payne said she is thankful and feels the city has been blessed.
“All our employees involved are recovering and will be OK. We have that to be thankful for,” she said. “We are also thankful that all injuries are something that can be overcome. We are concerned for the Mosley family and are sorry about his death.”
