Car accident sends young father over bridge; can lose legs

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A Memphis family is praying for hope after a multi-car crash in Midtown left a young father with the possibility that both of his legs could be amputated.

“He’s a single dad who was picking up his son from school and it just happened out of the blue. It was so unexpected,” Tenisha Holmes said.

Last Friday, a two-vehicle accident at Union Avenue and East Parkway South in Midtown changed Justin Holmes’ life forever.

In one accident, Holmes was struck by a car walking on the overpass where Union was crossing East Parkway to pick up his son from Idlewild Elementary School, his sister says.

“Someone ran the light, which caused several cars to hit each other, and they ended up hitting him and throwing him onto the parkway over the bridge,” Tenisha Holmes said. “As he crossed the bridge, both of his legs were torn wide open.”

His sister Tenisha, who was too emotional to go on camera, asked WREG for help.

“It is very devastating. The tears can’t stop,” Holmes said. “I haven’t slept since Friday and mom feels the same way and we’re just trying to figure it all out.”

Tenisha tells WREG her brother faces the possibility of having at least one of his legs amputated.

“They’re trying to save his left leg, but the right leg is definitely amputable,” Holmes said. “It’s a lot to digest. He’s incredibly upset.”

His family hopes someone will speak up about what they saw.

“We’re just trying to find out if anyone knows anything, we’d be very grateful,” Holmes said. “We don’t have any leads or anything like that. No witnesses or anything. That’s why we need all the help we can get.”

Help becomes a prayer for Justin Holmes, a loving father, son and brother.

“I pray and ask God to give us strength and help us emotionally to just get through this,” Holmes said.

Two other people, an adult and a child, were also injured, according to Memphis police. Her injuries were not critical.