Lee County deputy injured in chase is recovering well, wife says

In the post, Leslie Oldham calls her husband "a walking miracle" and thanked his fellow deputies, nurses and others who have helped the deputy get back on his feet.

Lee County deputy hurt after crashing his cruiser into storefront during pursuit

"From the Sanford Police immediately coming to his rescue just after the crash administering CPR, to the life support helicopter that was only 2 minutes away, life flighting him to UNC, to the incredible doctors and nurses at UNC hospital never leaving his side, to the out pouring of prayers and support from friends, family, and the Lee County Sheriff's Department, to each person reading this post...you all are playing a role in Jeff's recovery," she wrote.

According to officials, Oldham's cruiser crashed into a store at 128 S. Steele Street near Carthage Street around 12:30 a.m. on July 15 after pursuing a suspect who had tried to run him over during an attempted traffic stop.

A month before the building was hit, Nicole Allen purchased it with plans to turn the space into a boutique called Purple Poodle Company.

"I didn't have any knowing of how he was doing or how to stay in contact with how he was doing," Allen said. "To know he's doing better is very great news for us."

The first thought that went through Allen's mind when she learned about the crash during a 5 a.m. call was "Oh my gosh, is everybody okay?"

Everything inside the building was fine besides the windows, Allen said. The walls have been torn down and the building has been completely cleaned out.

"The building has been deemed that it is structurally sound and safe, so we're allowed to continue working on the inside while they're working on the outside," Allen said. "We are doing what we want to do on the inside to remodel and make it our store."

Luckily, the vehicle hit a vacant building instead of one of the stores on either side.

"If a car had to hit somewhere, I'm glad it was a vacant building where there was nobody inside, no stores that were damaged, no inventory that was messed up for anyone," Allen said. "Really, the first thing I was concerned about was the deputy."

Cory Fennell, 37, was caught while hiding underneath a crawl space at an abandoned home.

On Monday, Oldham is expected to have more tests done. He is expected to transition home to his own residence after participating in an in-home acute rehabilitation therapy.

Allen said she plans to open her business by the end of the year.