The first phone call I got was a little after eight the night of December 5th. Overnight anchor Tom Clay called saying somebody called the newsroom and told him that one of our news cars had been in an accident in Wise County. I shot off some emails to our promotions department and news people to try to find out who was out that night. I then started making phone calls. I got the Wise County sheriffs office on the phone, but they passed me off to the Department of Public Safety. The DPS said the trooper was still on the scene of the wreck, so they couldn't give me any info.
I found a scanner app on my phone and began listening to traffic from Wise County. I learned that two helicopter ambulances had been sent to the scene and they were headed to John Peter Smith hospital in Ft. Worth.
I later called the JPS emergency room and told them I was looking for one of my reporters. I explained about the wreck in Wise County. By now there had been a photo of the newscar involved in the wreck published online, so I knew who drove it. The nurse told me they had somebody from Wise County but they didn't know his name. I described him and they verified it was our reporter, Alan Scaia.
I was terrified having seen that newscar. The front end was recognizable. The entire hood was crumpled back like an accordion. The windshield was smashed. The entire grill and front passenger quarter panel were gone. How could anybody survive, I thought to myself.
Friday was a long night of phone calls and emails and social media messaging as word spread of the wreck. I later learned that Alan was in the intensive care unit. He was injured very badly, having been hit head-on by a pickup that crossed into his lane.
These are the worst nightmares of managers, coworkers, friends and of course family. Alan's mother lives in Ohio, so she had to fly in the next day not knowing what she would find once she arrived at the hospital. She's a very strong lady and is coping well given the circumstances.
The bottom line is Alan is getting better. It's not going to be quick, however. I don't expect him back at work for weeks, if not months. And that's fine with me. The main thing right now is that he get back to what he was and that's a great newsman, fun coworker and friend to many.
Take your time Alan. We'll be here when you're ready to return.
That's what I'm thinking.
Rick Hadley
24/7 News