CHARLOTTE, NC – Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will be kept overnight at a local hospital for observation following an accident in Uptown.
Panthers officials say he has two transverse fractures in his lower back. He is listed in fair condition. Doctors at Carolinas Medical Center say Newton is not scheduled to undergo any more tests Tuesday night.
The crash happened on South Church Street at West Hill Street, in the shadows of Bank of America Stadium.
Witnesses say it appears that Newton tried to avoid hitting the Buick.
“The Buick pulled out in front of his truck, which is Cam Newton’s truck, and when he hit it, he flipped like four times,” said Tony Douglas, a West Charlotte resident.
Police say Newton’s vehicle overturned after it collided with another vehicle Tuesday afternoon around 12:30. One witness said he saw Newton crawling out of his window.
“I came up on the scene, I looked and I was like, ‘Man that looks like Cam Newton!'” said Douglas.
The other driver was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Several NFL players took to Twitter once word got out about the accident. Oakland Raiders player Justin Tuck tweeted, “Praying for @CameronNewton”.
This is no word from team officials at this time on Newton’s status for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Bucs.
Backup quarterback Derek Anderson helped the Panthers beat the Bucs in Week 1 while Newton was unable to play after he injured his ribs in a pre-season game. This week’s game will be held at Bank of America Stadium at 1pm.
