A Silver Creek man remains hospitalized in critical condition inJackson, and another was slightly injured early Saturday morningwhen their vehicle struck a tree.

Ernest Pitts, 23, of Silver Creek and Michael Thompson, 18, alsoof Silver Creek, were injured in the crash. Pitts is a formermember of the Lawrence County High School football team, andThompson is still a student at the school.

Pitts was transported by ambulance to Lawrence County Hospitaland then airlifted to University Medical Center in Jackson. He wasstill listed in critical condition Monday morning.

According to Deputy Brad Bozeman, Pitts sustained massive headtrauma.

“He was unresponsive at the scene,” he said.

Thompson was only slightly injured in the crash and was nottransported by ambulance, Bozeman said. A friend took him toLawrence County Hospital later that day, and he was treated andreleased.

“He only had a few scratches on his head from where he struckthe windshield,” Bozeman said. “Neither of them were wearing theirseat belt.”

Bozeman said the accident was still under investigation, but itappeared that Thompson, who was driving, went off the edge of theroad and lost control of the 1999 Hyundai four-door sedan when itwent through some loose gravel.

“It appears Thompson lost control, went off the shoulder andstruck a tree,” Thames agreed.