Thankfully the prognosis is good for Andrew James Potter, a 19-year-old Oxford man who was seriously injured when a vehicle struck him Friday evening as he was jaywalking across M-24.
‘He’s doing very well,? said mother Lorene Potter. ‘Everything is looking up.?
Potter was awakened Tuesday from the drug-induced coma doctors had placed him in to better treat his severe injuries. ‘It was so nice to hear his voice,? Lorene said. ‘We were very excited.?
Family and friends all over Oxford have been praying for Potter’s recovery since hearing about the terrible accident.
‘We were all very saddened by this accident and we certainly hope it’s the last one on Lapeer Road,? said Doug McMunn, pastor of Oxford United Methodist Church. ‘He’s certainly dear to us and we’re sure eager for every sign of hope in his recovery.?
Potter, a 2007 graduate of Oxford High School, has been a member of OUMC for about three years. He started out in the youth program, then moved on to the young adult ministry dubbed ‘Two Hands in the A.M.,? which meets Saturdays at 10 a.m.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, around 6:20 p.m., Potter had parked his vehicle at the Shell gas station located at Oakdell Rd. and M-24. He attempted to cross M-24 on foot and go to a friend’s house on the west side of the road.
Potter walked in between northbound traffic, which was moving slowly due to congestion. As he entered M-24’s southbound lanes, he was struck by an oncoming 1994 Chevrolet Blazer driven by a 42-year-old Oxford woman.
He was seriously injured and transported to the POH Medical Center in Pontiac, where he was listed in critical condition.
Potter appears to be out of the woods now.
‘We’re very, very happy that he’s going to be fine,? Lorene said. He is expected to spend at least three more weeks in the hospital, according to his father Steve Potter.
The accident is still under investigation by the sheriff’s Crash Reconstruction Unit. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor.
‘I don’t anticipate any kind of ticket being issued to (the driver of the Blazer),? said Deputy Harry Joseph. ‘As it looks right now, she didn’t do anything wrong.?
‘Traffic at the time was heavy northbound and not (heavy) southbound, so the northbound traffic that was moving slowly created a visual obstruction to anything coming out in between that,? the deputy explained.
McMunn described Potter as a ‘very social? and ‘caring? young man, who placed a high priority on his friendships with others.
‘He’s not a loner at all,? the pastor said. ‘He likes to be with people.?
Potter is currently taking classes at Oakland Community College and is employed in food service at Independence Village of Waterstone.
‘I knew Andy as a good student who was always friendly and helpful,? said OHS Principal Mike Schweig. ‘Our hopes and prayers are with Andy and his family.
During his career at OHS, Potter played drums in the Varsity, Concert and Marching bands. He also played guitar in the Jazz Band.
‘He’s a great kid,? said Band Director James Gibbons. ‘He got along very well with other kids in the band. He was a hard-worker and obviously, very involved in the program.?
‘He’s a pretty easy-going guy,? said high school teacher Patricia Kukla. ‘Good-natured. Cared about school. Had a lot of support from his family. A hard-worker.? She said Potter is ‘very polite? and ‘usually had a good word to say in the morning when you saw him.?
People can show their support for Potter and his family through prayers and written well wishes, according to McMunn.
‘Sending greeting cards is always a good sign of support,? he said. ‘The family asked that cards be sent to the house.? Cards can be mailed to 5710 Sherwood Road, Oxford, MI 48371.