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A Nacogdoches man who was the passenger in a vehicle that was struck by a tractor-trailer in October has since undergone more than 20 surgeries and procedures\, leading close friends and family to plan a benefit in his honor.
\n\nThe vehicle driver\, Kirk Owens\, was killed in the collision.
\n"\;My dear friend and old classmate\, Courtney Allen\, was in a horrible car accident back on Oct. 13\, 2014 that\, also claimed the life of one of my childhood friends\, Kirk Owens\,"\; said Matt Ball\, a longtime friend of Allen. "\;Courtney suffered extensive injuries including a traumatic brain injury.
\n"\;Courtney is currently at Memorial Hermann&rsquo\;s The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) in Houston still recovering from the accident and getting the best possible rehabilitation treatment."\;
\nAccording to a Texas Department of Public Safety report from October\, a 2014 Kenworth truck "\;was traveling northbound on (state Hwy. 19)"\; and a 2013 Ford Taurus driven by Robert Kirk Owens\, 43\, "\;was traveling southbound and lost control due to the wet conditions and veered into the path of (the truck)."\;
\nAfter spending 136 days at TIRR undergoing physical\, occupational and speech therapies\, Allen was moved this week to the Touchstone Neurorecovery Center in Conroe\, Ball said.
\nWith six months of medical costs stacked up\, event organizers hope the benefits will curb costs for the family as Allen works through physical therapy sessions.
\n"\;It is a miracle that Courtney even survived the accident and he has made tremendous progress in his recovery\,"\; said Ball. "\;His story is truly remarkable."\;
\nLive music is scheduled and a bounce house will be inflated for kids. Organizers are not sure but hope Allen will be in a good enough condition to attend.
\nThe benefit for Courtney Allen will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday\, May 9\, at Nacogdoches Christ Episcopal Church\, located at 1430 N Mound Street.
\nSmoked chicken plates will be sold for $10\, and chicken and sausage plates for $15. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at www.eventbrite.com by searching for Benefit for Courtney Allen.
\nTickets are also available at the offices of Dr. Bryan Davis\, Dr. Carey Lindemann\, and Dr. Kelley Moon in Nacogdoches\; or from Mike Love &\; Associates in Lufkin. Plates can be picked up via a drive-through line or enjoyed at the church.
\nThe last day to purchase tickets online or at the offices will be Sunday\, May 3. For those unable to attend\, donations can be made on the Eventbrite website or by going to www.troopingforcourtney.myevent.com.
\nTo volunteer or offer monetary assistance for the event\, contact Ashley Allen at Benefit4courtney@gmail.com.
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