North Oconee Senior Persevering After Accident

Juggling a senior year of high school and college level courses at the same time is a challenge in itself, but for 17-year-old Courtney Smith of Bogart, it's even more of a feat as she recovers from serious  injures stemming from an Independence Day traffic accident.

The senior was headed east on Ga. 10 in her Honda Civic when she attempted to turn left onto Mars Hill Road and collided head-on with the driver of a westbound Cadillac around 6:30 p.m. July 4, said. Lt. Paul Cosper, public information spokesman for the Georgia State Patrol. Two cars parked nearby were also struck, he said.

Courtney was rushed to Athens Regional Medical Center with seizures, a broken pelvis and tailbone, and 2 cracked vertebrae.  She underwent surgery to place rods, plates, and screws into her body and has been in a hospital bed and wheel chair since, her mother, Carmen Smith, said in a three-way interview with her and Courtney.

The other driver, who Cosper said was not at fault, was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

Fortunately, the wheel chair is only temporary, Smith said, and Courtney is scheduled to begin aquatic physical therapy in about a month to build up strength in her legs.  Then she'll use a walker for up to 6 weeks. It means she'll be out of school for 5 months. 

But that's not a setback for Courtney.

At the start of the school year, she'll take on homebound course work and remain on target to graduate early in December, Smith said, adding that a school representative will spend 3 hours a week helping her with assignments. Courtney also continues to pursue a 2-year degree from Athens Technical College's Nursing Program through online classes. She has participated in joint enrollment since her junior year.

"She'll only miss out on one hands-on class that she had planned to take," Smith said. Courtney's older sister, Chelsie, is also enrolled at the college.

Courtney is planning to attend high school graduation ceremonies in May and will take her licensed practical nursing exam shortly after, her mother said, then begin a career while continuing her education to eventually become an registered nurse. 

Their neighborhood, family, and friends have rallied around the Smiths, and "just thoughts and prayers," are greatly appreciated, Smith said.

"(Courtney) has been very focused from early on," her father, Marc Smith said. "She's got big goals and dreams that she wants to achieve."

Though the accident shook the entire family, Courtney has not wavered.

"She remains very positive," he said.  "Not a lot is going to stop her."