Poca Football Player's Condition Improves After Crash, Calls Team to Check In
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Updated: 1:30 PM Aug 28, 2009
Poca Football Player's Condition Improves After Crash, Calls Team to Check In
A Poca High school football player is expected to make a full recovery after he was involved in a serious car accident in Kanawha County.
Posted: 1:16 PM Aug 28, 2009
Reporter: Anna Baxter
Email Address: anna.baxter@wsaz.com
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This is a photo of the car following the crash in Institute. (courtesy a family member of one of the victims)
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UPDATE: Friday, August 28 @ 1:00pm
POCA, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A Poca High School football player is expected to make a full recovery after he was involved in a serious car accident in Kanawha County.

The single vehicle accident happened Tuesday just after 11:00 p.m. along Route 25 in front of the Bayer Crop Science plant.

According to Poca High School Principal Vic Donalson, Christian Combs called his teammates Thursday night to check in and let them know he was going to be okay. Donalson also says Combs told his coach he was enjoying some Captain D's for dinner.

Combs will miss Friday night's season opener against Nitro High School, but the school hopes he's back with the team very soon.

Combs is now listed in fair condition at CAMC General.

Two other people were injured in the car accident, but they've already been treated and released from the hospital.



ORIGINAL STORY
INSTITUTE, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A student from Poca High School is in critical condition after a car accident in Kanawha County.

The single vehicle accident happened Tuesday just after 11:00 p.m. along Route 25 in front of the Bayer Crop Science plant.

Kanawha County Sheriff's Deputies tell WSAZ.com Stephen Doss, 19, of Poca, was heading west on Route 25 towards Nitro when he swerved to miss an animal in the street and lost control of his car. The car hit a telephone pole and then a tree before it came to a stop.

Christian Combs, 17, and Zach Staats, 17, both of Poca, were both passengers in the car. Combs was trapped in the vehicle until crews were able to cut him out of the vehicle.

All three teenagers were taken to CAMC General.

Combs is listed in critical condition. He is a football player at Poca High School.

"Christian is a great kid," Vic Donalson, Poca High School's Principal said. "We are all praying and pulling for him. The kids are pretty torn up about it."

Staats and Doss have been treated and released from the hospital. Staats plays baseball at Poca High School.

If you have a photo of Stephen, Christian, or Zach, please e-mail it to: pix@wsaz.com

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Latest Comments

Posted by: anonymous on Aug 30, 2009 at 05:14 PM

I am a student at poca high school and we have worried about them..I have been praying for them along with the school. They are all three great kids! I hope you get well soon christian! i am still praying!
Posted by: rebecca combs on Aug 29, 2009 at 04:44 PM

this is christian combs mom and i would like to thank you'll for your prayers and concerns for him he is getting better and stronger everyday he does have a fracture skull and bleeding inside and a fractured neck has some vision problems right now but they say it will hopfully get better when swelling goes down we have been very gratful from the outpour from the other football teams and from all the people that has known christian and for the ones who hasnt known him has still prayed and showed concern for us i would love to let you'll know just how emotional i have been thru this and to see so many people care about us i would like for you'll also to know christian has 2 sister britt and kenzie and 1 brother asher and he has a niece sofee 18 months old that he loves alot so its been hard for us but please keep us in your prayers and thought we need them . love from becky,christian,britt,kenzie,asher,and sofee
Posted by: SA Mom on Aug 29, 2009 at 02:24 PM

I'm glad all of the boys are going to be ok in time. Take care! And do not worry about comments from people who do not have a clue. And to those who have nothing nice to say...I would hope your Mothers told you growing up..."if yo do not have anything nice to say...KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT"
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