By Billy Davis

A driver whose vehicle was mangled in an automobile accident Friday in Batesville is able to move his arms and legs, a family member said Monday.

Matthew Blake Goodwin, 20, is recovering at The Med in Memphis after the Ford Mustang he was driving collided with a Ford Freestar minivan driven by Jonathan Wright, 19, of Courtland.

After the Mustang and van impacted, the car then collided head-on with an S10 pickup driven by Willie Benson, 52, also of Courtland, all according to a police incident report.

The three-vehicle accident occurred on Highway 51, wet from drizzling rain, in front of Piggly Wiggly. 

Goodwin is set to undergo surgery on his neck today, said his uncle, Mark Goodwin, who reported that his nephew is showing some mobility.

“He started moving his legs. He can move both arms,” said the uncle. “He can talk to you.”

A nine-page Batesville police report, citing Wright’s account, states that Goodwin pulled onto the highway from Piggly Wiggly in front of the minivan. Benson stated that he was idling in the turning lane when he was struck, according to the report.

The report states that Terrell Adair was a passenger in the pickup. Both Benson and Adair were transported to Tri-Lakes Medical Center by ground ambulance.

Three van passengers, Shekaydra Morris, Crystal House and Deshaun Alexander, were riding with Wright, according to the report. House and Alexander were taken by ground ambulance to Tri-Lakes.

Wright was transported in a private vehicle to the hospital.

Goodwin was conscious as Batesville firefighters used the Jaws of Life to peel away the driver’s side door in order to reach him. He was airlifted to The Med from the parking lot at Dunlap Stadium.

Goodwin is employed at Piggly Wiggly as a stocker but had not been at work prior to the accident, said store manager Mark Cole.