Teens' Lives Changed By Shooting

By Lori Fullbright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK - A long road lies ahead for three teenagers injured in a recent drive-by shooting.  A fourth teen, Donivan Crutcher, was murdered.  His brother, Adrion, their cousin, Jahmal Bryant, and Jeremy Williams were injured after being shot after leaving church three weeks ago.

Their lives have totally changed.

Jeremy was shot in the eye and has no feeling in his arm.  Jahmal is limping and walks hunched over from pain.  And, Adrion is paralyzed from the chest down.

All the agony has resulted from what Tulsa Police say might've been a case of mistaken identity.

It's heartbreaking to watch as Adrion Crutcher is helped from a car into his wheelchair when, just a few weeks ago, he was an active teenager, who was a basketball player already being scouted by colleges.  Adrion was shot in the spine, chest, lungs and back.  His brother, Donivan, did not survive.

"It's hard to grieve for one son when you are busy trying to provide hope for another son. It's hard, minute by minute is all I can do," said mother Tonya Crutcher.

Their cousin, Jahmal Bryant, is in terrible pain from his bullet wound in the back and chest.  Any activity leaves him exhausted.

"He has his ups and downs. Each day is better. He has nightmares, but, he is talking more," said Jahmal's mother Lajuania Payne.

Lajuania and Tonya are sisters and are using every bit of strength they have to get their sons through this terrible time. 

Donivan and Jeremy Williams were at church and called Jahmal and Adrion for a ride.  They, along with two friends, picked them up.   Jahmal was driving and remembers hearing the first shot and ducking.  That's when they crashed.

"He blacked out and saw a bright light and thought he was dying and thought no, it can't be. The next thing he saw was a fireman.  And, he thanked the fireman and that's when he knew he was gonna make it," said Jahmal's mother Lajuania Payne.

Both teens are seeing counselors.

Adrion's family is sending him to one of the best spinal cord rehabilitation centers in the country in Denver, but it's not cheap.

"Insurance covers getting him to the closest general rehabilitation facility, which isn't giving us hope of walking again.  So, they will not cover a plane ride to Denver, Colorado," said mother Tonya Crutcher.

The air ambulance trip will cost $9,000 and rehab will be thousands more.

Jahmal may not be able to play football again at Central, but he was able to attend last week's pep rally and was on the sidelines during the game.

Jeremy is out of the hospital, but is blind in one eye.

Adrion is determined to walk again.  A fund has been established to help with his rehabilitation.  Donations can be made to Adrion Crutcher in care of Tonya Crutcher at any Chase Bank location.  The account number is 787705557.