Eight fans injured in Edwards wreck
Terry Bobbitt owns the Minnow Bucket convenience store in Rogersville. He works long hours and does not get many days off. He saw Sunday as the perfect opportunity to take a break, have a good time and escort his teenage daughter to Talladega. "It was her first trip," says Bobbitt. Bobbitt and his daughter, Blake, landed seats on the second row. It was an exciting race. However, as it neared the end, the fun came to a crashing halt. "Basically, it was headed to us," says Bobbitt.
Carl Edwards' race car flipped into another car and slammed into the metal safety fence – only a few feet from stunned and scared spectators. Metal debris flew everywhere. Terry and Blake took cover, but it wasn't quick enough. "When it actually happened, I turned and I pointed to her to make sure she saw the car that was coming in the air," says Bobbitt. "All in that same motion, I grabbed her and it took her down. I didn't know she'd been hit at all until we got up." A piece of metal broke Blake's jaw. Emergency responders rushed her to UAB Hospital. Doctors performed reconstructive surgery and had to insert two plates into her jaw. As a result, her mouth will be wired shut for the next six weeks.
Blake Bobbitt attends Lauderdale County High School. Her 18th birthday and graduation are both within the next month. Her parents say it's bad timing, but still a big blessing. Terry says it's a miracle that Blake wasn't hurt worse. "She's alive. I'm alive," says Bobbitt. "That's the main thing. We had a guardian angel over us, no doubt." Terry Bobbitt and his wife both say that the community has been extremely supportive. Beyond that, Carl Edwards even called the hospital to check on Blake after the surgery. Terry says they're expecting doctors to release Blake from the hospital on Wednesday. whnt.com