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Update: Micah Ashley Jones

Friends and family never gave up hope.

Staff Report (September 6, 2004)

(Note: The following is an edited update on Micah Jones, daughter of industry veteran Marrijane Jones, who was seriously injured shortly before the CHA Summer (formerly ACCI) show. This obviously is not a typical "Category Report," but considering hundreds of show attendees expressed concern for Micah, we wanted to share this good news.)

Micah Ashley Jones, 23, the college senior who was in a coma for more than a month after being struck by an off-duty policewoman�s car while she was trying to hail a cab on a Nashville street, is now alert and has been moved to a rehabilitation facility at the Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus.

Micah�s mother Marrijane Jones, VP of Associations/Events for Offinger Management, reports that Micah remains in guarded condition with severe brain trauma from injuries to the head, in addition to a broken right leg. Family attorney Gary Blackburn said since Jones came out of a coma, she is able to recognize people and speak to them. He added that even though she has made remarkable progress, she will still require a long period of rehabilitation.

Driver of the car Sgt. Kim Gooch, a 19-year Metro Police Department veteran, was charged with vehicular assault. Authorities said a field sobriety test given after the accident revealed Gooch's blood-alcohol level at 0.16%, twice the legal threshold of intoxication limit.

According to Micah�s aunt Paula Vandegriff, the past month has not been easy for Micah or her parents. They have not been able to work since the accident and have stayed by Micah�s side. She was due to graduate with a bachelor�s degree in mass communications with a major in recording industry management from Middle Tennessee State University. The night of the accident, she and some friends were celebrating completing her first day as an intern with Island Bound Records, a division of RCA.

In a special presentation Aug. 15 during commencement exercises, MTSU President Dr. Sidney McPhee presented Micah�s parents with Jones' degree. According to Vandegriff, the faculty members gave Micah a grade based on the work she had already completed and that enabled them to award her the "specially granted" degree. The requirement of final examinations was waived after review of Jones� academic records.

While Micah recovers from her injuries, friends and family are working to raise money to help the family with medical expenses.

In Micah�s hometown of Zanesville, OH, Tag Tucker, 7, set up a snow cone stand outside his home. Hundreds of people swarmed his stand in support, pushing the funds to $147.75, far surpassing his fundraising goal. During the sale Tucker and his helpers gave patrons badges that read, "Pray for Micah."

While Tucker�s fund-raiser is over, more are planned. A concert with two Grammy-award nominees, Bering Strait and Jamie O�Neal, will take place in Nashville. In addition, friends of the family are working to set up fund-raisers with proceeds going to medical expenses for Jones.

Donations for the Micah Jones Trust Fund can be sent to Teresa Kocher, 3179 National Rd., Zanesville, OH 43701. The trust fund has been set up at a local bank and Kocher is keeping track of the donations at the family�s request. Contributions can also be made to the Micah Jones Fund, Bank of America c/o Josh Vollet, 2121 Blakemore Ave., Nashville, TN 37212.

Although Micah cannot accept visitors yet, well-wishers may also send cards to Micah Jones, c/o OSU Medical Center Dodd Hall, 480 W. 9th Ave., Columbus, OH 43210-1245.

(Note: To read previous Category Reports, click on the titles in the right-hand column.)

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