Bluffton High teen injured in wreck undergoes surgery; friends pray for recovery

Josh George had just dropped off his girlfriend and two classmates at their homes early Sunday morning when an allegedly drunken driver ran a red light and slammed into the side of his Toyota pickup, close friends say.

The 17-year-old junior at Bluffton High School was headed home after prom festivities. Josh -- captain of the school's soccer team and an Advanced Placement student -- was not wearing a seat belt, police said.

He was ejected through a window in the truck and rushed to Hilton Head Hospital; meanwhile, a hunt began for the driver who had sped off from the wreck.

Because of the extent of his injuries, Josh was taken by helicopter to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, where doctors performed surgery to alleviate pressure on his brain, said school Principal Robert Anderson.

He remained in a medically-induced coma Monday night in critical condition as the school and community prayed for his survival.

Josh's family members and close friends spent the day at the hospital.

Anderson said his condition is stable, but the outcome is uncertain.

"It's been a tough day," he kept saying.

DRIVER IN COURT

The man accused of causing the wreck at the intersection of Buck Island Road and Bluffton Parkway just before 3 a.m. Sunday appeared in a jailhouse courtroom Monday afternoon for a bond hearing.

He said his real name is Juan Jose Olague Roman. The 20-year-old man had been booked into the jail under the name Juan Rodriquez, a name he gave officers Sunday. His place of birth is listed as Guatemala.

Solicitor Duffie Stone said he will attempt to indict Roman under both names before a Beaufort County grand jury in June. In the meantime, his office will investigate Roman's true identity.

Roman was arrested at his Freirson Circle home about a half-hour after the wreck. A green Subaru with heavy front-end damage was parked at the home. Debris found at the scene of the collision belonged to Roman's vehicle based on the damage, color of the vehicle and paint that was transferred between the vehicles when they collided, said Lt. Bryan Norberg of the Bluffton Police Department.

Roman was charged with felony drunken driving, leaving an accident with great bodily injuries, driving without a South Carolina driver's license, operating an uninsured vehicle and disregarding a traffic signal. His bond was set at $750,905.

If convicted on all counts, Roman could face up to 25 years in prison and more than $20,000 in fines.

As it does with every non-native born prisoner, the county jail has sent his name to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The federal agency takes up to 72 hours to investigate a person's immigration status, said jail director Philip Foot. If the person is determined to be illegal, the agency will place a hold on the prisoner, which means he would be picked up by federal agents before being released either from the jail or, if he is convicted, a state penitentiary.

The Bluffton Police Department said it has little information about Roman's background other than he worked locally as a painter. He has no known criminal history in the state.

Lt. Norberg could not confirm what Josh's friends said -- that he'd driven his girlfriend and two classmates home. There are no indications Josh had been drinking, he said.

Norberg said the investigation into events leading up to the wreck is still not complete. He expected most of it to be finished today.

A VIGIL AT BHS

The tough school day began with the somber announcement Josh had been seriously injured over the weekend, though many students already knew about the wreck.

A few students met with crisis counselors, and teachers devoted class time to talk about what happened. They preached the importance of wearing a seat belt, but mostly spoke about Josh.

As school let out, the soccer team formed a circle in the middle of the field. Parents, teachers and other students held hands, forming a ring around them. It was mostly silent. Prayers were said. Tears were shed.

"He's a strong kid," said Meredith Hamilton, a student who has played soccer with Josh. "He'll make it through."

That optimism was echoed many times.

"We're definitely feeling on the optimistic side and are definitely staying that way for his sister, girlfriend and family," said Coral Sterner, a cheerleader who is close friends with Josh's girlfriend. "Right now we're really hoping he'll come back. We all really miss him."

At nearby Lord of Life Lutheran Church, a fabric sign out front read "Josh and BHS, we r praying 4U."

Pastor Jon Heiliger spoke with two shaken students.

"For any kid who needs someone to listen to them for more than two minutes, we're here," he said.

Today, LowCountry Community Church, 801 Buckwalter Parkway, will open its doors between 2:45 p.m. and 4 p.m.

'A SWEET GUY'

Josh George is popular at the high school and in the Bluffton community.

His mother, Cheryl, is the school nurse. His sister Jessie is a senior, and he has a younger brother, Jake.

The family attends The Church of the Cross Episcopal Church.

The accident that hospitalized Josh is the family's second tragedy.

As the family's eldest son, Josh took on a head-of-household role in July 2001 when an F-16 piloted by his father, Maj. Aaron C. George, crashed near Edwards Air Force Base in California.

Josh participated in the high school's ROTC program. He referees youth soccer and had worked part-time jobs at Kroger, Piggly Wiggly and Chick-fil-A.

His house is a hangout for his friends.

"Josh is just a really nice, respectful kid," said family friend Diane Ricker. "Funny as all hell."

He can light up any room, those who know him say.

"He's a really sweet guy," Sterner said. "Everyone loves him. He always puts a smile on everyone's face."

Hope for his survival begins anew this morning as students join hands around the flagpole to pray for their friend to recover.