A Lincoln County resident of more than 20 years is in stable butcritical condition in Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford followinga vehicle accident Monday, according to the man’s daughter, AngelaSmith.

Ronald L. Norris, 71, of Bogue Chitto, ate breakfast and headed outfor his new home in McComb, Ill. around 5:30 a.m. However, he wouldonly get as far as Batesville, Smith said.

Norris was driving north on Interstate 55 when his 1997 Sonomapickup truck crossed the median around the north Batesville exit.He hit a parked car and then an 18-wheeler crashed into thepassenger side of his vehicle around noon Monday.

Smith mentioned her father’s vehicle was knocked about a footballfield’s length into the woods.

“Everything he owned was on that truck,” she said.

Smith mentioned she is unsure as to what caused the accident, butadded it was raining.

“I guess he got sleepy,” she said. “I am not exactly sure; it mayhave had something to do with the weather.”

Smith said Norris will remain in a medically induced coma until hisbody is able to fully heal from the harm he suffered in Monday’saccident. His injuries include 22 fractures ribs.

“It’s going to be a long haul for him,” she said.

Smith, of Chalmette, La., found out of the car accident around 1:30p.m., and after a few hours she left for north Mississippi.

“I was in shock and I kept calling the hospital, and when theymoved him from the ER to the ICU, I jumped in the car,” shesaid.

As Norris’ family waits anxiously for his recovery, Smith willponder on how to help her father once he has healed.

“The plan is if he recovers I am going to bring him home with mefor a while until he gets back on his feet,” said Smith. “Or Idon’t know, I may wind up in Bogue Chitto.”