Firefighter's condition unchanged, family asks for prayers

Raleigh, N.C. — The family of a Raleigh firefighter injured in a chain-reaction wreck asked for prayers for his recovery Monday via Facebook.

Lt. Harry P. "Flip" Kissinger IV, 35, of Wake Forest, is being treated at WakeMed for serious injuries, including head trauma, according to Assistant Fire Chief Rusty Styons.

Kissinger was injured during a wreck Friday morning on Ligon Mill Road near Louisburg Road. A school bus going east, driven by Sheila Wimbush Hall, 52, of Garner, and a station wagon traveling west collided. The bus then crossed the center line, striking Kissinger's pickup truck head-on.

The station wagon, driven by Angelica Perry, 23, of Raleigh, ended up in a driveway on the opposite side of the road.

The bus crashed into a ditch, with the cab of the pickup crushed beneath it. It took rescuers about 45 minutes to remove Kissinger from the truck, authorities said.

Kissinger's family posted to his Facebook page that he responded positively to a reflex test after doctors lowered his dosage of sedatives Sunday. He remained in critical condition at WakeMed's intensive care unit.

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Sending thoughts and mighty prayers.

God bless.

RB

Spirit Warrior Woman - Rev. RB
December 8, 2009 7:32 p.m.

"Was it ever reported what caused he accident? I see a lot of bad driver- more cars than busses- and some busses need to get out because cars don't slow down- not an excuse but reality. I can not believe that cars do not slow for school zones- that is wrong. I live by a school- no one slows. I kow this was not at a school- but still...."

You must be kidding and being sarcastic.

If a bus is not able to SAFELY get into traffic it is NOT the responsibility of OTHER drivers to slow down to let them out. You must not travel Ligon Mill that much. The road is full of turns and this bus had no excuse to not be able to stay in their lane other than pure laziness.

If buses can't ride their route safely (i.e. not relying on cars to 'slow down' in places that are NOT school zones) they need to report it to their supervisor, not put the lives of those of us on the road simply because we are supposed to be too scared to hit a bus. And of course that wonderful "hit from behind 100% your fault law"

FoxtrotUniformCharlieKiloakaCALM
December 8, 2009 10:55 a.m.

Was it ever reported what caused he accident? I see a lot of bad driver- more cars than busses- and some busses need to get out because cars don't slow down- not an excuse but reality. I can not believe that cars do not slow for school zones- that is wrong. I live by a school- no one slows. I kow this was not at a school- but still....

thought
December 8, 2009 10:13 a.m.

Flip, I am praying for you without ceasing! Jill and the girls- I pray that God will comfort you during this horribly difficult time. All of us at Lifestyle Family Fitness are thinking of you and your entire family.

msultz
December 8, 2009 9:56 a.m.

Where has it said that the bus driver was found at fault? From the story, it says the bus struck the car head-on, and THEN crossed the center line and hit the truck. Appears to me the station wagon was across the center line and at fault."

Possible, but I've seen this bus drive, my guess is that it rounded the turn too wide like it does every morning (well used to I suppose)and the station wagon did not realize that the shoulder isn't that soft in that part of the road and you are able to go off road safely... I only know this from experience it's very possible she didn't know that. The truck was the unfortunate aftermath.

FoxtrotUniformCharlieKiloakaCALM
December 8, 2009 9:49 a.m.