MURRAY STATE CHEERLEADERS STILL HOSPITALIZED AFTER WRECK

MURRAY, Ky. -- Dexter native Brandon Vaughn, a sophomore cheerleader at Murray State University, remained in critical condition Tuesday at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville.

Vaughn and 12 other cheerleaders were injured Saturday afternoon on Interstate 24 near Cadiz. The students were returning to MSU from the Nashville airport, having performed at the Murray State Racers' appearance in the NCAA basketball regional tournament in Tallahassee, Fla.

According to Kentucky State Police, the students were riding in a university van when the tread on a rear tire separated, causing the driver to lose control. The van struck the median and overturned several times before coming to rest on the opposite side of Interstate 24.

Ginger Adams, 20, of Murray is also in critical condition following the accident. Jodi Flanagan, 20, of Mount Vernon, Ill., and Laneia Meacham 20, of Hopkinsville, are in fair condition.

Jeff Piskos, a junior advertising major from Paris, Tenn., was credited with helping save Vaughn's life. Piskos is the Racers' mascot Dunker and was riding behind the van with two other cheerleaders.

He climbed through a van window and wrapped towels and a sweatshirt from his own luggage around Vaughn's arm and shoulder to stop the bleeding from the accident. Physicians at the Blanchefield Army Hospital at Fort Campbell said Piskos' quick action probably saved Vaughn's life.

A member of Vaughn's family said the cheerleader would undergo surgery on his arm today. Doctors had been putting off the surgery because of fluid build-up in his lungs. The family reported the fluid is decreasing and Vaughn's respirator has been turned down dramatically.

Doctors believe they can save the arm.

The Murray State University News Bureau will conduct a media briefing about the accident and cheerleaders involved at 9 a.m. today in the Curris Center.