Crash victim’s son: Dad alive because Kentucky high school football players found him

At his father’s hospital bedside after a traffic accident, Brian Miller said he is grateful to Jackson County High School football players who came upon the wreck Friday and “saved his life.”

“When the team found him, that’s what saved him,” Miller told the Herald-Leader Tuesday morning.

Carlis Miller, 64, a Jackson County resident who soon plans to move to Lexington, was in life-threatening condition when the players found him, Brian Miller said.

After a Friday night loss to Caverna High School, some players were driving home when they came upon the one-car accident on KY 290 in Jackson County.

Jackson County’s coach John Hallock said on social media, “They just lost the game and were on the three-hour ride home. The report coming in is if the young people did not stop to help the injured man he may have died! Unbelievable! Jackson Co. Generals!”

“Not only did they give it their all tonight on the field but as some of us headed home from the High School we came up on a accident on 290…being the first on the scene Ethan Wilson, Kelsie Collins, Kenzie Day, Jacob Huntley, Austin Bowles, Blake Allen .... jumped into action, calling 911, telling each other turn on your flashers calling to tell us we would be coming up on the accident talking to the gentleman to keep him calm and to get information for EMS…, “ a post from the Jackson County football team page said.

“They represent what our county is about! The scoreboard doesn’t reflect their character and guts!” the post said.

Jackson County EMS officials thanked the football players in a Facebook post.

“If not for the team’s willingness to help, patient access would have been delayed while more responders were dispatched to the scene,” the post said. “Accidents such as this one are often very time sensitive. These young people have shown what it is to be a good neighbor. ... Our community is lucky to have some of the best youth around.”

Brian Miller said his father’s condition had stabilized by Tuesday morning as he recovered at UK HealthCare in Lexington.

“He is responsive, little by little,” Miller said.