KY teen was set to participate in graduation this week before I-75 crash. How to support him
The friends and family of Herman Jacob Smith from Clark County are rallying around him in his recovery after he was involved in a wrong-way crash Sunday night.
The 18-year-old was left in critical condition after being hit by a vehicle driving the wrong way on I-75 in Lexington around 9 p.m., according to Lexington police. Another driver involved, an 84-year-old man, was killed in the accident, according to police and the Fayette County Coroner’s Office. Investigators believe he suffered a medical emergency, leading to the crash.
Smith has undergone surgery this week to repair internal damage he sustained during the accident, according to Misty Gay, the committee chair for Smith’s Boy Scout troop. Smith was also set to have surgery Thursday to repair a broken jaw.
While the situation has been overwhelming and emotional for those who know Smith, the community has come together to support his recovery and raise money for his medical expenses, Gay said.
On Tuesday morning, students gathered outside of George Rogers Clark High School for a prayer vigil, according to WKYT, the Herald-Leader’s reporting partner.
“Dozens of students gathered this morning in support of classmate and friend Herman Jacob Smith, a member of the Class of 2023, who sustained critical injuries in a car accident on I-75 Sunday evening,” GRC Smoke Signals Student Media said on Facebook. “Students led a prayer vigil for Jacob who remains in ICU at the University of Kentucky.”
The Blue Grass Council made a Facebook post the day after the crash asking friends and family to pray for Smith.
“Eagle Scout, Herman Jacob Smith of Troop 56, was involved in the horrible accident on I 75 this past Sunday night,” the Blue Grass Council said. “He is in critical condition. Please pray for his healing and recovery and pray for his family!”
Even though Herman will no longer be able to graduate Friday as expected, there will be a special honor for him at the graduation ceremony, Gay said.
The JROTC canoe has been repainted and named the USS Herman Smith in his honor, Gay said. The canoe will be filled with drinks to be sold during the ceremony to raise money for Smith’s medical expenses and other needs.
Injured teen is involved student, JROTC leader
Master Sargent Larry Lee, Smith’s JROTC instructor, described Smith as a top student who is very dedicated to his education and extracurricular activities.
Smith, a cadet major in JROTC, has already enlisted in the military and completed basic training.
“You couldn’t ask for a student who is more involved in everything that he always does,” Lee said. “He is an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts, and as far as in Junior ROTC he is in one of our senior leadership positions.”
Lee said he has only heard positive updates about Smith’s recovery so far.
Gay said the best way to support Smith is to donate to his GoFundMe, organized by Karsyn Carroll and Tate Traugott in Winchester. It has earned $2,960 of its $20,000 goal.
84-year-old man killed in wrong-way crash on Lexington interstate
