Frances Reddick, co-owner of Antiques on North Main, was struck by a vehicle on North Main in Ellijay as she crossed the street from her car to her business.
A Hyundai Elantra driven by Glenn Krausser, 71, of Ellijay, was traveling south on North Main near the First Baptist Church of Ellijay at 2:42 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, according to a report from the Georgia State Patrol. Krausser’s vision was obscured by sunlight when he struck Reddick.
Charles Reddick, Frances’ husband, said he heard his wife was going to be cited for jaywalking. The report does not list any citations, but does note Frances was not in a crosswalk and failed to yield to the vehicle.
She was life-flighted to Kennestone following the accident with a long list of injuries, Charles said. These include severed vertebraes, a broken ankle, broken pelvis, both legs broken below the knees, a broken left humerus, a split palate, broken nose, deviated septum and multiple facial injuries.
Her jaw will be wired shut for four to six weeks, and it will be two to three months before she can begin to walk again, Charles said.
In addition to the injuries, Charles is unable to visit his wife in the hospital.
“It’s really tough nowadays with COVID,” he said.
The couple had received their first shot and were scheduled for their second dose before the accident.
Despite her injuries, Charles said Frances’ first question was if the town of Ellijay is doing something about a crosswalk and what happened to the driver of the vehicle.
“We’ve been after them for years,” Charles said.
They have asked the town for a crosswalk from the First Baptist Church parking lot to the merchant side of the street. He also said the area should be declared an historic area which would necessitate the speed limit being dropped to 15 mph.
“We all know better than to get in this street if a car is coming,” he said. “Hopefully we will be able to get some change going.”
Charles said people are praying for his wife’s recovery.
“We have prayers coming in from multiple states,” he said.