Jon Wood, driver of the Navy Racing #50 Ford, will donate a portion of his winnings this weekend to Joshua Hill, a 17 year-old student at Patrick County High School in Stuart, VA. On November 10, 2001, Hill’s car was hit head on by a drunk driver and sustained severe injuries. After being removed from his car by the jaws-of-life, Hill was airlifted to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC. His injuries included moderate to severe brain injuries, a broken right femur, a cracked hip joint, and a contusion on his spinal cord, which may take 18 months to determine if there is permanent damage. In addition, Hill underwent emergency surgery to have his left frontal lobe and some of the other damaged brain tissue removed that was not responding to medication and swelling dangerously. “When I heard about this accident, I knew that I wanted to help in some way,” explains Wood. “I went to the same high school as Josh and tried to think of some ways that I could help. I thought by donating a portion of my winnings at Martinsville it would help offset some of the family’s medical expenses.” Over $50,000 has been donated to Hill’s family to help pay for the rehabilitation efforts. Hill, who once played football and was a member of the varsity basketball team, faces a daunting rehabilitation. He must now relearn basic skills like walking and talking. Members of the Hill family will be special guests at the Advance Auto Parts 250 at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday, April 13. Wood will meet with the family prior to the race to finalize plans for his donation.(Roush Racing PR)(4-9-2002)
