Carthage man injured by suspected drunk driver in head-on collision undergoes surgery for broken neck

A Carthage man hit by a suspected drunk driver in a head-on collision near Carl Junction Friday was scheduled to undergo surgery at Freeman West Hospital, Joplin, this morning to repair a broken neck.

In a Friday evening Facebook post, Amanda Lovell, Joplin, pointed out that the extent of the injuries suffered by her father, Ermal R. Lovell, 48, Carthage, were more serious than the way it appeared from the Highway Patrol report:

I would be so grateful if everyone could keep my family in your prayers. My dad is set for surgery tomorrow morning his neck was fractured. My Aunt Michelle is out and doing okay really sore. Please let Him be with the Doctors and my family tomorrow.

The accident occurred 10:15 a.m. Friday on Joplin Street, a mile south of Carl Junction.

According to the Patrol report, Joshua Haury, 30, Joplin, who was cited for driving while intoxicated, careless and imprudent driving, not having a valid operator's license and for not wearing a seat belt, lost control of a 2000 Dodge Stratus, drove off the right side of the road, came back on the road and struck the 2003 Buick Regal that Lovell was driving head on.

Lovell's passenger, Michelle D. Lovell, was treated for minor injuries at Freeman West. Haury was treated for moderate injuries at Freeman.