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Gilmer students and community members showed up at a candlelight vigil held at River Park Sunday night to support Luke Crump, who was injured in an accident Nov. 12. -
Gilmer students and community members showed up at a candlelight vigil held at River Park Sunday night to support Luke Crump, who was injured in an accident Nov. 12. -
Gilmer students and community members showed up at a candlelight vigil held at River Park Sunday night to support Luke Crump, who was injured in an accident Nov. 12. -
Gilmer students and community members showed up at a candlelight vigil held at River Park Sunday night to support Luke Crump, who was injured in an accident Nov. 12.
A teen with a strip cut into his hair may mean more than a bad barber. It may be a sign of solidarity.
Luke Crump, 17, a student at Gilmer High School was injured in a one-vehicle accident Tuesday, Nov. 12, off Chatsworth Highway near the intersection with Mountain Springs Road, according to a Georgia State Patrol report.
His vehicle took a sharp turn off the road, traveled down an embankment and flipped.
Crump was thrown from the vehicle, according to his great-aunt Gina Pendley.
He is in Kennestone Hospital.
Pendley said he is steadily improving. He is mostly in a medically induced sleep.
Crump woke up Sunday and spoke a little.
“He did recognize his mother and father,” Pendley said.
Pendley sent out an invitation to the media to attend a vigil for Crump Sunday, Nov. 17, and asked that students get coverage for their support of Crump.
“I know today many people protest many things, Jasper and Ellijay have both been in the news lately, but wouldn’t it be great to see a host of young people standing up for one of their own,” she said.
“Gilmer County high schoolers have done just that. They are standing #LukeStrong.”
Pendley said some boys have shaved a strip of their hair to mirror a strip which was shaved into Crump’s hair at the hospital.
Students have arranged a Luke Crump week at the high school to show their support, mirroring activities from homecoming week, said Gilmer High Principal Carla Foley.
A Friday prayer at the pole was also organized to pray for Crump.
“Luke is that kid in this building,” she said. Foley went on to say Crump has some impact on almost everyone at the school.
Foley said the school is providing support for any students who want to talk.
“We are certainly praying for him and whatever we can do to support his family,” she said.
Visitors have also been a staple at the hospital waiting room.
‘Teachers have come. Coaches have come. Students have come,” she said. “To me, it’s a good showing of what kids are in Gilmer County now.”
Pendley said people should continue to send their thoughts and prayers.
“We think it’s going in the right direction, now,” she said. “Just continue to pray and support the family.”