Parkwood HS student recovering after vicious crash

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A Parkwood High School student is recovering after a serious accident that happened just 2 miles from the school Wednesday.

IMAGES: Scene of serious wreck involving student

Troopers with the North Carolina Highway Patrol confirmed Kailey Miller, 17, was involved in a single-car crash on Parkwood School Road.

Investigators believe Miller was driving over the speed limit when she passed another car in a non-passing zone. Witnesses told troopers an oncoming car caused Miller to swerve back into her lane. The teen then lost control of her car and struck a tree on the right side of the road.

“I was reading and I heard tires squealing and then a loud crack,” said Ray Somers, who lives on Parkwood School Road. “I called 911 and ran to the car. I could only see her arm kind of hanging out of the car. It was an intense crash.”

Investigators said Miller was pinned in her car. Firefighters had to use the Jaws of Life to free Miller. She was taken to Parkwood High School by ambulance and then airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

“We were getting ready for our volleyball game and our coach told us they were going to have to land the medical helicopter in the field,” said Haley Melton, who is also a junior at Parkwood High School.

Melton said at the time she didn’t know the helicopter was for her friend and classmate.

“I was shocked and really scared,” said Melton. “Kailey is very nice. She’s a really sweet person. She plays soccer here. The accident has really made me think how everything can change in an instant.”

Investigators said the impact of the accident was so intense the engine flew out of the hood and landed several feet away from the mangled car.

Neighbors said many drivers go too fast on Parkwood School Road and hope this accident will make others slow down their speed.

Troopers said the crash remains under investigation.