OXFORD, N.C. — Since Operation Iraqi Freedom began, Oxford police Capt. Bob Williamson has been glued to his television set. Now, the reality of war has hit home.

"Well, I watch it, but then I cut if off and try to do something else to get my mind off it. Then I find myself going right back and turning it back on," he said.

Capt. Williamson's only son, 24-year-old Sgt. John Williamson, is a member of Fort Bragg's 407th Forward Support Battalion. That unit is responsible for pulling and repairing broken vehicles.

On Wednesday, Sgt. Williamson and another soldier crashed in the Kuwaiti desert.

"He drives a wrecker for the 82nd Airborne and he ran into the back end of a Bradley tanker. Due to the sandstorm he couldn't see," Capt. Williamson said.

Sgt. Williamson suffered a broken jaw and a concussion. Another soldier also suffered minor injuries.

In a phone call, the military told Capt. Williamson that since his son's injuries are not life threatening, he will likely remain in the Middle East until the conflict ends.

Capt. Williamson said the hardest part is not being able to see his son. He hopes to hear from him in the next couple of days.

"The first thing I'm going to tell him is I love him and that I'm glad he's OK. and I hope I'll see him soon and we'll do some celebrating together," he said.