Written by Amanda Coers – Gearold Ledsome, from Brownwood, is currently recovering in ICU in Abilene after a severe wreck on Highway 279 on Saturday, December 3rd. Ledsome was headed into Brownwood when his vehicle was struck head-on while traveling on a stretch of road known locally as “Dead Man’s Curve,” by another truck headed towards Abilene.
According to his family, Ledsome sustained numerous fractures in ankle, neck, and collarbone, along with bruised and inflamed spinal cord. Doctors performed surgery on Sunday, and several more surgeries are expected.
“He’s in excruciating pain and has a very long road ahead of him but he’s thankful to be alive,” said his daughter, Lerin Peña. “He just wants to be able to walk again, and play with his grandchildren, and play golf.”
Ledsome was born with a portion of his left arm missing. After retiring from Ledsome Machines in 2008, he now plays golf competitively full time, and was instrumental in bringing The Southwest Amputee Golf Association Texas Regional Championship to The Hideout in Brownwood on September 9th this year. Ledsome finished 10th overall in the World Disabled Golf Championships in August, bringing home a silver medal from Pumpkin Ridge Golf Course.
Original Article – Posted on December 4th:
Two vehicles collided on Highway 279 around 3:20 p.m. on Saturday. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage.
Three males, two of which were brothers heading to a wedding, were taken to Brownwood Regional Medial Center after a two vehicle wreck on Highway 279 in Brownwood. One person was reported to have been ejected out of the passenger window of a pick-up truck. According to relatives posting on Facebook the brothers are being treated for head injuries, with one currently being cared for in the ICU after being airlifted to Abilene.
Highway 279 was reopened after two hours of being block while emergency crews worked to cleared the scene. That stretch of road is known locally as “Dead Man’s Curve,” named for the sharp turn on a hill that can be treacherous during unfavorable road conditions. A fatal wreck at that location was reported in 2004.
A GoFundMe account has been set up for Gearold Ledsome by his family: https://www.gofundme.com/unexpected-medical-emergency
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