A Rhodhiss firefighter remains hospitalized today after undergoing surgery for injuries he sustained during a head-on collision Friday evening.

Billy Gene Austin, 45, of Granite Falls, was traveling toward Granite Falls on Duke Street shortly after 8:30 p.m. when another vehicle, driven by 29-year-old Jerry Dean Rice II, of Hickory, crossed the center line and struck him head on.

Caldwell County Emergency Medical Services Manager Keith Davenport said Austin suffered multiple fractures on his arms and legs, as well as possible internal injuries, when he became entrapped in his vehicle.

Davenport said members of the Granite Falls Fire Department and Lovelady Rescue Squad extricated Austin, who was pinned against his dashboard, and transported him to Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory. He later was transported to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

Rhodhiss Fire Chief Will Dennis said Austin already had one surgery performed and was expected to undergo surgery for his arms and legs Monday.

Rice suffered minor injuries.

According to reports from the Granite Falls Police Department, Austin told officers that he saw Rice cross the center lane and tried to get over as far as he could without going off the road when the two vehicles collided. Rice told officers that he thought Austin pulled into the roadway from a side street, and he never saw Austin.

Reports indicate that both vehicles were traveling at or below the posted speed limit, and no charges have been filed.

Two injured Saturday on Grandin Road

Meanwhile, a single-vehicle collision on Grandin Road Saturday afternoon sent two ladies to Caldwell Memorial Hospital.

According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol report, 20-year-old Tiffany Danielle Rash, of Oaklawn Street, Lenoir, and her passenger, 22-year-old Nicole Vance, were traveling south on Grandin Road when their vehicle ran off the right side of the road, overturned on an embankment and came to rest on its top.

Davenport said Rash was transported to Caldwell Memorial Hospital with back pain and injuries to her lower extremities. He also said that Vance was taken to CMH with minor injuries.

The cause of the accident remains unknown, but Trooper T.C. Williams cited Rash for failing to maintain lanes.

Woman in hospital after vehicle overturns

A third vehicle collision also sent one person to the hospital Friday evening.

Davenport said a 38-year-old female, whose name has not been released, was taken to CMH with a possible back injury when her vehicle overturned on Old North Road shortly after 10 p.m. Friday.

A complete report from the Highway Patrol was unavailable Monday.