Wellton man remains in Phoenix hospital following motorcycle accident

  A Wellton man remains in a Phoenix hospital after being severely injured earlier this month in a motorcycle accident on Interstate 8 east of Yuma, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

  Good Samaritan Hospital did not release 65-year-old Thomas Keith Smith's condition.

  The accident happened on Sept. 6 as Smith was riding his motorcycle eastbound on I-8 and tried to leave the freeway at Exit 29, the Wellton exit.

  "It appears the crash took place as (Smith) was taking the exit and lost control of the motorcycle," said DPS Sgt. Johnny Villaneda.

  Smith suffered "head trauma" from the accident, Villaneda said.

  Tri-Valley Ambulance responded to the scene and requested a helicopter.

  Care-Flight responded and flew Smith to Yuma Regional Medical Center. He was later flown to Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, where he is still undergoing treatment for his injuries.

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James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.