Officials with the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office have released an update on the deputy injured in a head-on collision.
Deputy Erik Bueno is still recovering in a local hospital from several major injuries that have required surgery, treatment, and medical attention.
On September 7, Troopers with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said the crash happened on Highway 115, near the intersection of Hunting Creek Road. Bueno was responding to a call for service at the time of the crash.
Troopers said a Ford truck, driven by Darrell Kilby, 47, crossed the centerline, sideswiped another Ford, and then collided head-on with Bueno, who was driving a Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office Chevrolet Tahoe.
The Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office said the following on Facebook:
“Today marks one week since Deputy Erik Bueno was involved in a serious head-on collision on Highway 115/Hunting Creek Rd. As of this morning, Erik is still a patient at Atrium Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, where he is receiving excellent care from the doctors, surgeons, therapists, and nurses. Erik is recovering from several major injuries that have required surgery, treatment, and medical attention. He has been in lots of pain and has an extended road to recovery. Erik and Sheriff Chris Shew wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and support during his recovery. Please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he works hard to overcome his injuries and get back to some sense of normalcy soon.”
Kilby, 47, was also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He was charged with driving while impaired and careless and reckless driving. Additional charges are pending.