A member of the OU football team is in critical condition after breaking various bones in a car wreck Thursday afternoon.

Michael Thompson, junior cornerback, ran his car off the road at a high rate of speed, said Lt. Chris West, spokesman for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The car crashed into a tree.

Thompson was traveling east on Indian Hills Road near Porter Avenue when the accident occurred, West said.

Thompson was pinned in the car, and emergency workers removed him from the car.

No other passengers were in the car. Thompson's vehicle was the only car involved in the accident, West said.

Thompson was flown by helicopter to University Hospital in Oklahoma City where he arrived at about 3 p.m., said Allen Posten, University Hospital public relations manager.

Thompson suffered several bone fractures, including his right femur bone, ankles, jaw, said Gay Conner, public relations director for the hospital. Conner said she expected the surgery to go well.

He was rushed into surgery at

4 p.m., Posten said. The surgery was estimated to last eight to 10 hours. At press time, Thompson was still in surgery.

Thompson played in all 13 games during last year's winning season.

He had 61 tackles during the season and one interception. He was sixth on the team in tackles.

The news of the accident came as a shock to many students and campus officials. OU football head coach Bob Stoops said OU fans have reason for hope.

"We're all so very grateful that it appears Michael's condition is improving. At this time, the prayers of the coaches, players and athletic staff are with Michael and his family," Stoops said in a statement. "I just came back from University Hospital where the initial prognosis by the doctors was encouraging."

OU President David Boren said he was relieved to hear that Thompson's condition was improving.

"We are fortunate that he was able to receive excellent medical care from a group of specialists within minutes after the accident," Boren said. "At this point we are optimistic about his recovery."

Students worried about Thompson's well-being, but also thought of how his tragedy might affect the football squad.

"I think because he is part of the team, it will hurt them deeply, not game-wise, but as a friend," said Alfonso Martinez, mechanical engineering sophomore.

Early childhood education senior Nathan Gray said he was in class with Thompson's fiancee when she heard the news and left class early to go to the hospital.

He said it is sad to hear that a talented player like Thompson was seriously injured.

"He is a good player," Gray said.

He said the car accident must also be hard on the players, because anytime a teammate gets injured, the other players are emotionally affected.

"Anytime you lose someone in a team, it is tough," Gray said.
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