How’s B98.5’s Kelly Stevens doing since the car accident?
Kelly Stevens. CREDIT: B98.5
Radio host Kelly Stevens is slowly recuperating at Grady Hospital from injuries sustained after a wrong-way driver hit his vehicle on GA-400 nearly two weeks ago.
Given the severity of the crash and the fact he wasn’t wearing a seat belt, Stevens is happy to be alive.
On his Facebook page today, Stevens said he was able to stand up for the first time since the August 24 accident.
Wanted to share with you my miracle moment this morning. Standing up! What is simple yet beautiful thing to be able to do… I have high hopes to be discharged today from Grady into an acute rehab facility.
On Monday, Stevens noted this:
I have a fractured leg and knee along with the shattered arm and elbow plus a fractured rib and vertebra but the true miracle is I am alive and I owe it all to God. Was able to move from ICU into a regular room a day and a half ago and will keep you updated as I’m able but thank you all for your kind thoughts and prayers.
His former B98.5 morning host Alpha Trivette gave me an update via Facebook, which is a little outdated:
“I talked to him late last week. He should be out of ICU this week. Had surgeries on compound fractures of left knee and elbow. He is in for a lot of treatment and therapy… possibly more surgeries. He’s looking for a few months initial recovery with some life-long complications. He is grateful, however, to be alive and is in reasonably good spirits.”
Stevens may be out for weeks from B98.5, if not months. He has been paired with Vicki Locke the past 18 months. It appears Vicki, with producer Jessica Forkel, will forge on without him for now. (B98.5 just added a new program director Chris Eagen, spelling Lee Cagle.)
B98.5, which has added more current music the past few months to its mix, had a strong August ratings period, according to Arbitron, finishing fourth overall and a tie for fifth among 25 to 54 year olds. The morning show was tied for fifth overall and seventh among 25 to 54 year olds.
Join my Facebook fan page and Twitter.
By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
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25 comments Add your comment
Real DJ
September 5th, 2012
10:16 pm
Wishing Kelly 100% good health!
Dum-Bass
September 6th, 2012
1:00 am
No seatbelt huh? Thought he was smarter than that. He doesn’t look that dumb but guess he is!
Julianna
September 6th, 2012
5:11 am
Why was the driver northbound in the southbound lane? I know there was speculation as to why, but I never heard any results of the investigation. Where had Carlyn Royball been? Did she enter at Northridge or Abernathy? (Facebook sure does get people’s pages down fast after something such as this.)
AJ
September 6th, 2012
8:36 am
Have to agree with Dum-Bass. Kelly was very nonchalant about not having the seatbelt on. I just don’t understand what possesses people not to wear one.
Happy For Kelly, but.........................
September 6th, 2012
9:05 am
Kelly “PLEASE” use your seatbelt from now on. Thank God you are alive & you may have even got less injuries had you been wearing your seatbelt. Would you put a baby in a car without a seatbelt? Something to think about. It just goes to show you unless it’s your time, God will keep you here until he decides its your time to leave this hell hole called earth. Get well Kelly. I listen to you & Vicki in the mornings to work & so sorry for your accident. What happened to the dumbazz that caused the accident driving the wrong way? Make sure you don’t have any valuables at Grady because between the staff & the patients & visitors, you may be robbed blind. Grady is a “good” hospital, but some of the people that they hire & come for treatment are CROOKS. Enjoy your day!!
Buckle Up
September 6th, 2012
9:06 am
Please tell me he was ticketed for not wearing a seat belt. He shouldn’t be exempt because he’s a “celebrity.” Plus, in the news report about the accident, he said he “suddenly looked up” and saw the car coming at him. Was he texting and driving?
Julianna
September 6th, 2012
9:11 am
His insurance rates ought to increase since that company is paying much more toward his healing than it would’ve if he had been wearing a seatbelt. I agree with the “looked up and saw a car” — keep your eyes on the road. How does anyone not see an oncoming car from a mile away? That stretch has a median, so it couldn’t have been confused with northbound GA 400.
Julianna
September 6th, 2012
9:14 am
I mean Kelly shouldn’t have confused the headlights with northbound lanes. One more tip — drive in the left lane only if you’re passing. Don’t cruise in the left lane AND not be looking at the road in front of you.
GH
September 6th, 2012
9:16 am
He is so lucky to be alive. I really hope that this will convince him that he needs to wear a seatbelt all the time. I agree with “Happy for Kelly but….” You wouldn’t endanger your child (I hope!), so why endanger yourself unnecessarily. In this day and age, you have to be some kind of stupid to not wear a seatbelt.
Tami
September 6th, 2012
9:50 am
I agree with everyone regarding Kelly not wearing a seat belt. Not to knock someone when they’re completely down, mind you. But perhaps there would have been fewer injuries if the seat belt had been used. They’re in our vehicles for a reason, and unfortunately Kelly found this out the hard way. I’m certainly happy he has survived this ordeal, but he still has a long road ahead of him. Sending best wishes for a speedier recovery Kelly’s way, nonetheless.
Yuuupp
September 6th, 2012
9:55 am
Who doesn’t where their seatbelt? It 2012… I agree with previous posters.. I hope he was ticketed for driving without a seatbelt & not paying attention to the road.
I too don’t understand how people don’t see a car coming towards them UNLESS they don’t have their lights on.. Nevertheless, that idiot better thank GOD or his lucky stars(whichever he believes in) that his idiotic behind is alive to tell his story!
trtnmntatitzbest
September 6th, 2012
10:29 am
Wishing you a speedy recovery and rehab progress Kelly. Some of the comments are coming from persons who text and drive and also not wear their seatbelts sometimes. At least you were honest in relating exactly what happened on that early Friday morning. Praying for you and family.
www
September 6th, 2012
12:38 pm
the lesson here: wear a seat belt when driving anywhere, especially on the interstate.
Dum-Bass
September 6th, 2012
12:59 pm
Driving on the interstates around ATL and not wearing a seatbelt is about like riding in the back of a pickup truck, which I just saw in SC yesterday. How stupid can you possibly be? Oh! AND would you believe in SC it’s legal to drive a motorcycle without a helmet, and there a plenty that actually do. Saw a man and a woman in their 50s last week on one with no helmets. There’s the answer. That’s how stupid people can be when given the opportunity!
kITTY
September 6th, 2012
1:05 pm
Stope being so damn judgmental folks. Just be happy and move on! Glad you are on the mend Kelly!!!
Buckle Up
September 6th, 2012
1:09 pm
I’ve talked to emergency room doctors who have a term for motorcycle riders who don’t wear helmets:
organ donors.
LLC
September 6th, 2012
1:27 pm
An attorney would probably tell Kelly to stop talking to the press since I’m sure a lawsuit is in the making. Claiming that he “looked up” and not wearing a seat belt are 2 things the deceased girl’s family will be sure to bring up. Granted she was in the wrong but if had worn a seat belt his injuries would not have been as severe.
PTC DAWG
September 6th, 2012
3:45 pm
I would like to see someone try and sue for hitting someone while going the wrong way on the interstate. That would be a sad day if a suit like that is allowed to go forward.
Wowzee
September 6th, 2012
4:45 pm
Wow, all you “holier than thou”s! I heard that the fact that Kelly ended up in the backseat of his car might have actually saved his life — if he had his seatbelt on, he may have been killed. I agree, you’re better off wearing a seatbelt, but to make it sound like this tragedy Is about the victim not wearing his seatbelt is b.s.! Get a life!
LLC
September 6th, 2012
4:56 pm
Kelly will probably sue the deceased driver’s insurance company. I doubt she had much in the way of assets. The insurance company, being the benevolent beings that they are, will probably bring up the lack of seat belt and his not paying attention while driving. Even if he gets a decent settlement he is looking at a lifetime of pain.
pris
September 6th, 2012
9:24 pm
I agree….stop being judgemental. Yes you should wear a seatbelt BUT he survived a wrong way crash. Most people don’t….so not wearing the seatbelt may have saved him. As for not seeing the wrong way driver……I’m sure everything happened so fast…..It was not his fault. He is the victim. Wish you the best Kelly!!!
Dum-Bass
September 6th, 2012
10:28 pm
He didn’t have any control over the other driver being on the wrong side, but he did have control over not having his seatbelt buckled. Saying not having his seatbelt on may have saved his life is pure conjecture and no way to know that. The only time I have ever heard state troopers say that is when there is a fire and the occupant could not get out fast enough.
Julianna
September 7th, 2012
9:52 am
“A lifetime of pain” from a broken leg? Thanks, Dr. LLC.
Wowzee
September 7th, 2012
11:41 am
It is NOT pure conjecture. When the driver’s side front of a car is smashed flat, where is a body to go if it’s strapped in? I’m surprised you’re not calling yourself “Know-it-all,” Dum-Bass.
LLC
September 7th, 2012
2:54 pm
Fractured leg, shattered arm & elbow, other injuries. At his age he won’t be bouncing back from those injuries. Most people I know who have been in bad accidents feel the effects for a long time. Ok Nurse Juliana?