May 29, 2008

Jonathan Batcheller, an outstanding athlete in multiple sports during his high school career, is in critical condition at a Springfield hospital this week following a one-car crash northeast of Ava Monday night. The Highway Patrol said Batcheller, 18, was traveling west on Highway 76 near Basher when he crested a hill at a high rate of speed, overcorrected and ran off the left side of the roadway. The car began rolling, impacting several trees, coming to rest on its top. The crash occurred at 10:38 p.m. and was investigated by Sgt. Keith Jones of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, assisted by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Dept. and personnel from Ava Rural and Skyline fire departments. A passenger in the car, Robert S. Wallace, 16, sustained moderate injuries. Both of the teens were wearing seat belts, the patrol report said. The two were taken to Cox South Hospital by ambulance where Wallace was treated and released. Batcheller remains in intensive care with numerous broken bones and head trauma. The Herald received word Wednesday morning that doctors were “more optimistic” about his condition. Batcheller, who just graduated from Ava High School last week, is a four-year letterman in both football and baseball and was just recently named baseball Player of the Year by coaches of the South Central Association. He was first-team all-SCA in baseball and football, and was also a starter on Ava’s varsity basketball team. He was starting quarterback on the Ava football team for the past three years and was named SCA Back of the Year in 2007.