'Horseplay' results in teen's hospitalization

By Carey Phillips

Carrie Eidson, 17, a Smoky Mountain High junior, has since been released from the Asheville medical facility.

The incident occurred at about 6:20 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of Taco Bell on East Main Street.

"(Eidson) turned around to look at her friend who was chasing her," said Officer Rick Bryson of the Sylva Police Department. "When she did, a car was turning into Taco Bell. She ran right into the side of the car."

The driver's side mirror was torn off the Toyota Paseo, which was being operated by Carla Nations. The impact caused Eidson to spin around and hit her head on a metal strip going to the sun roof, Bryson said. She then hit her head on the pavement when she fell.

Witnesses said Eidson experienced seizures, which had stopped when officers arrived, according to Bryson. Edison, who Bryson described as "very unresponsive," was taken to Harris Regional Hospital, where physicians determined she had sustained head trauma.

She was transferred to Mission-St. Joseph's as a precautionary measure, said Bryson, who indicated no charges were filed.

Back to Archive: 11/14/02.