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A child who had life-threatening injuries and was flown to Carolinas Medical Center after his mother collided with a stopped logging truck is healing and in stable condition, according to the State Highway Patrol.

“We’re optimistic about his chances of hopefully resuming a normal life,” said First Sgt. J.M. Jackson, who recently spoke with the 9-year-old boy’s grandmother about his condition.

Jackson provided additional information about the individuals involved in the collision, which occurred Jan. 20 on U.S. Highway 52 between Bowers and Cottonville roads, near Norwood.

Brittany Coone Mauldin, 28, of Norwood was driving a 2004 Hyundai SUV when she failed to reduce speed and collided with the truck of Ricky Darrell Troutman, 63, who had stopped due to a crew trimming trees off the power lines, Jackson said. He lives and works in Gold Hill.

Jackson said logs smashed through the vehicle’s windshield when the car hit the back of the truck.

Mauldin was also taken to the hospital with severe injuries, but she has been released, Jackson said. She had two other children in the car. They were taken to Atrium Health Stanly and were released.

While Troutman’s truck only had limited damage to the rear, the SUV was a total loss due to severe front-end and roof damage.

Mauldin has been charged with DWI along with felony child abuse, two misdemeanor child abuse charges, failure to reduce speed and driving on a suspended driver’s license, according to the Highway Patrol.

Jackson said the case is still active.