The 83-year-old victim of a collision between a vehicle and a motorized wheelchair remains in the Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital. According to a report by the Columbia Missourian, the victim, Janet Barnes, is the world’s longest-living quadriplegic.
The driver, Lea Wood, 24, was driving her Honda Civic north on College Avenue at 5:13 p.m. Monday and Barnes, 83, was stopped in the center pedestrian lane in her motorized wheelchair, according to a Columbia Police Department news release.
Barnes was crossing College Avenue toward Windsor Street and failed to stop for oncoming traffic. Wood, an employee in MU’s School of Nursing, was unable to stop and collided with Barnes.
Barnes was taken to University Hospital by emergency personnel and remains in critical condition. Wood was not injured in the collision.
Speeding and alcohol or drug intoxication were not factors in the crash, according to the news release. No charges have been filed.