ATLANTA — A wonderful update for a North Carolina State Highway Patrol trooper who was severely injured in the line of duty -- He is finally out of the hospital!
Last summer, Trooper Chris Wooten was hit by a truck while on his motorcycle during a chase in Charlotte. He was critically hurt and has no memory of the crash.
He has spent the last seven months in an Atlanta hospital recovering.
Friday, Chris Wooten and his wife Sharon were able to move out and are now living in a nearby apartment. They hoped and prayed for this day, and it finally came.
Eyewitness News anchor Allison Latos was able to talk to the Wootens about this next step. Chris Wooten said he still has nursing care available 24 hours a day, but they are adjusting to life with more independence.
Both Chris and Sharon said they are enjoying the little things -- sleeping next to each other at night again and sharing a meal like spaghetti on Valentine’s Day.
:quality(70)/d1hfln2sfez66z.cloudfront.net/11-07-2019/t_ed2dbd66c22b48c6828a8b7ebfa76992_name_4318EC43C49E4030AE91E8A1E1AC3CDC.jpg)
In December, Allison got to meet the Wootens and learned about Chris Wooten’s diagnosis and progress.
He is paralyzed from the neck down and breathes with the help of a ventilator. He can still get around using a wheelchair he controls with his mouth.
His wife Sharon Wooten has been right by his side through it all as they adapt to all of this together.
Sharon Wooten said they are excited about becoming more independent. They said they are grateful for the continued support, prayers and well wishes from everyone in the Charlotte area.
Construction to make their home wheelchair friendly will start soon and they hope to be back in Cramerton in the next six months or so.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:
- Daughter says elderly father was left outside in cold rain for hours ‘like he was trash’
- 'It will never be the same’: Earnhardt Jr. alters approach to flying after plane crash
- Autopsy results to be released for slain 6-year-old SC girl, dead neighbor
- FORECAST: Mild and sunny Presidents Day before rain returns midweek
- Deputy off the job after video shows him punching handcuffed teen at hospital
© 2020 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/KPLD2RRVKVCKZGI5A7I4HPEVOM.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/FGEZGJCL5JGORCOIR6V266XKDI.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/QCVJPFH675EEBAMIQGPFVV3ZOM.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/3RHJ3TVVT5AALL2CHOIUTUP7S4.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/RPN5TVSZLNF3VKJ5TSNOMMUV5E.png)