NFL Quarterback Cam Newton Injured In Car Accident

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was in a two-car accident Tuesday afternoon around 12:30 p.m. The NFL star suffered two fractures in his lower back. The Panthers organization stated that he has two transverse process fractures, and no other internal injuries. A transverse process fracture is a break in part of one of the bones in the spine. This is the same injury that prevented Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo from playing in a game earlier this season.

Newton's truck flipped several times, which essentially totaled the vehicle. His truck finally stopped on a bridge that lays over a major interstate. Eye witnesses interviewed by the Charlotte Observer stated that Newton struggled to make his way out of his vehicle's shattered back window, and off to the side of the road.

Newton and the driver of the other car were both taken to the hospital. Neither of the two suffered from life-threatening injuries. Newton is said to be in decent condition, but is currently undergoing tests at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. He will remain there overnight for further observation, stated Charlie Dayton, (Panthers director of communications).

Newton was conscious and able to respond, while being transported away from his overturned truck. Although he suffered no further internal injury, ESPN injury analyst Stephania Bell said, “It's still exceptionally painful. You get bleeding around the area of the fractures. You have soft tissue injury that's involved, and then let's not forget this is a roll-over accident, so even when we say no major structural injuries, there's a lot of soft tissue trauma… He is going to be in a lot of pain, even though thankfully the injuries don't appear to be terribly serious.”

Panthers owner Jerry Richardson said Newton is in good shape, after speaking to his hospital doctors. Jonathan Johnson from the Charlotte Observer stated that Newton's doctor said it is highly unlikely that he will play this week.