Victim escapes crash, gets electrocuted by power line

CRESTVIEW, Fla. (WALA) - Authorities said William "BJ" McDonald, 19, was involved in a car accident Dec. 2 around 2:30 a.m. on Airport Road.

They said he was driving near Fairchild Road when the vehicle he was driving lost control going around a turn, sliding off the road into a ditch and slamming head first into a utility pole.

The Florida Highway Patrol said McDonald got out of the car and was walking up the hill when he touched a live downed power line, which shocked him.

Christy Kilinski said she watched McDonald grow up in Crestview with her son. She said he was much more than just a close friend of her family.

“He was at the house a lot and he even called me mama. He didn’t call me by my name. BJ was a good kid. He was very helpful and very respectful," said Kilinski.

Now, Kilinski's family is holding out hope that he’ll survive through the night.

Kilinski said she vividly remembers getting the news of his accident.

“I felt disbelief. I didn’t believe it because it was too close to home. It took awhile to believe that had happened,” Kilinski said.

Kilinski said this isn’t the first time something like this has happened on Airport Road. She said the twists and turns can challenge even locals who drive the road every day.

“People just need to slow down on Airport Road. The curves are just too dangerous, no matter how long you’ve been traveling them," said Kilinski. "Right now we’re just asking for prayers for BJ that he’ll make it through this. He’s just too young. He needs a lot of prayers."

Officials said McDonald is in critical condition at USA Medical Center in Mobile.