A Texas College football player was in fair condition Monday following a one-vehicle car wreck.
Offensive lineman Kourtland Atkins, 21, of Houston, was likely going home at 2:46 a.m. Sunday when he lost control of his 1996 Oldsmobile Alero in the 2700 block of South Broadway Avenue, Tyler Police Department Sgt. Adam Tarrant said.
Police believe Atkins fell asleep at the wheel.
Atkins was driving south when he crossed over northbound lanes and hit the curb on the opposite side, Tarrant said. The impact sent the car into the air. It flipped multiple times before striking two telephone poles. The impact knocked one to the ground and heavily damaged the other, Tarrant said.
The collision knocked out three traffic lights on Broadway at the intersections of Troup, Eighth and Amherst. The lights were down for several hours.
Atkins was ejected about 10 feet from his car, and it is unknown if he was wearing a seatbelt.
“He was transported (to the hospital) and is OK,” Tarrant said. “He went through CAT scans, and he was carrying on conversation, which is pretty amazing.”
As of Monday evening, Atkins was listed in fair condition at Mother Frances Hospital.
No traffic citations were issued.