Local musician injured in Nashville accident

Published 4:46 pm Monday, July 18, 2011

Clanton native and country musician Austin Childress was critically injured in a motorcycle accident Sunday in Nashville.

According to reports, an oncoming car hit Childress.

“Apparently, the driver of the car fell asleep at the wheel and swerved into oncoming traffic,” said Pastor Scott Springer, a family friend. “From what witnesses said, he had on a helmet but was thrown from the accident.”

Springer said Childress is currently at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the trauma unit but is showing promising signs.

“His head took most of the impact,” he Clanton native and country musician Austin Childress was critically injured in a motorcycle accident Sunday in Nashville.

According to reports, an oncoming car hit Childress.

“Apparently, the driver of the car fell asleep at the wheel, and swerved into oncoming traffic,” said Pastor Scott Springer, a family friend. “From what witnesses said, he had on a helmet, but was thrown from the accident.”

Springer said that Childress is currently at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the trauma unit but is showing promising signs.

“His head took most of the impact,” he said. “He’s sedated and on a breathing apparatus because doctors want him to stay still, and are slowly bringing him out of it. He is starting to respond to simple motor commands like ‘wiggle your toes.’ Doctors say the next 72 hours will be real important.”

Childress was a member of the Christian rock band Thalon, who performed at En Fuego as recently as 2009.

Springer said friends, family and those who know Childress are encouraged to attend a prayer service for him at New Life Community Church Monday night.

“They can come and go,” he said. [It] will be from 8-10 p.m. All prayers are appreciated.”

In addition to the service, those concerned about Childress can join the “Prayer Chain for Austin Childress” Facebook group.

said. “He’s sedated and on a breathing apparatus because doctors want him to stay still, and are slowly bringing him out of it. He is starting to respond to simple motor commands, like ‘wiggle your toes.’ Doctors say the next 72 hours will be real important.”

Childress was a member of the Christian rock band Thalon, who performed at En Fuego as recently as 2009.

Springer said friends, family, and those who know Childress are encouraged to attend a prayer service for him at New Life Community Church Monday night.

“They can come and go,” he said. [It] will be from 8-10 p.m. All prayers are appreciated.”

In addition to the service, those concerned about Childress can join the “Prayer Chain for Austin Childress” Facebook group.