Murphree remains in a coma

Father says she has suffered permanent brain damage

Published Thursday, August 23, 2007

By Brandon Evans

A collision at the intersection of County Road 1110 and U.S. 380 West on Friday morning has left Jacklyn Murphree, 20, of Decatur, in a coma.

Murphree has suffered permanent brain damage from the accident, but until she wakes up there is no way to know the extent of the damage, said her father, Patrick Murphree. Besides the head trauma, Jacklyn suffered several breaks to her pelvis, internal injuries and lacerations.

Murphree said the other injuries are healing well, but all the family can do now is stand by her side and hope she comes out of the coma without the situation deteriorating further.

The driver of the other vehicle, Betty Monroe, 47, of Decatur, was arrested at the scene for driving while intoxicated after taking a series of field sobriety tests.

Monroe has since been charged with intentional assault with a vehicle to cause severe bodily injury. Her bond was set at $475,000.

The charge is a third degree felony and carries the possibility of two to 10 years in prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

The accident occurred approximately 2.5 miles west of Decatur. Murphree’s car was T-boned on the driver’s side by Monroe’s truck on a closed section of U.S. 380 that is under construction.

DPS trooper Chris Christmas said Monroe was driving westbound on the closed section of U.S. 380. Murphree was exiting CR 1110 and approaching the stop sign to turn onto U.S. 380 when her car was hit.

Patrick Murphree said the family has received a lot of support from friends and family.

“Hundreds and hundreds of people have been coming here to visit her,” he said by phone from the hospital. “They’ve come from College Station and Houston and of course from Decatur. We’ve kind of taken over the hospital.”

Jacky graduated from Decatur High School in 2005.

“She was a great student,” said DHS principal Melinda Reeves. “She was well liked by everybody and a great leader.”

During her time in the district, Jacky was involved in student government, cheerleading, athletics, the National Honor Society and more.

On Monday, at Meet the Eagle Night at Decatur High School, the school will accept donations to help the family as they wait in the hospital. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. The school is also organizing a blood drive in honor of Jacklyn.

Although only 20, Murphree is already a senior at Texas A&M University. This summer she was working as an intern at Sewell Lexus in Dallas. She was headed to her job on the morning of the accident.