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Softball Tourney To Benefit Wreck Victim Mark Shipps, Jr.

A Molino man and Northview High graduate is facing a long road to recovery from a March 24 wreck in Molino, and his friends are organizing a softball tournament in May to offset some of the family’s financial expenses.

Mark Allen Ships, Jr. was traveling west on Molino Road near Chestnut Road about 3:30 a.m. on March 24 when he crossed over the eastbound lane and onto the shoulder. He continued on the shoulder until he struck a cement culvert and cement embankment with the front of his 2002 Jeep Liberty.

At the time of the wreck, Shipps was returning home from a formal banquet for the Kappa Sigma Fraternity of University of West Florida. Shipps, a 2010 Northview graduate, is the vice president of the fraternity at UWF, where he is majoring in electrical engineering.

According to Shipps’ mother, Heather, Mark planned to spend the night with a friend in Pensacola. She said he apparently decided to come home because he was scheduled to work  Sunday morning in the meat market at Piggly Wiggly in Davisville. He wrecked less than a half mile from his parent’s home.

Shipps’ injuries include intestinal damage, two broken femurs, bruised lungs and a fracture above his left eye, according to his mother. “Most of the damage was done  by the seatbelt and airbag, but if he hadn’t had the seatbelt on he probably wouldn’t have survived,” she said.

He has undergone several abdominal surgeries to repair the damage, and rods were inserted in surgeries to repair his broken legs.

“Thankfully he did not suffer any head injuries,” Ms. Shipps said. “They have done CT scans and have found no injuries.”

“He is expected to make a full recovery,” Ms. Shipps said. “It is just going to be a long process.”

Junior Classic

The Junior Classic Softball Tournament will be held beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 10 and continuing Saturday, May 11 at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.

It will be based on USSSA slow pitch softball rules, with three females on the field per team at all ties. There will be a two loss elimination in effect. Registration is $150 per team.

The event will also include food, music and more. Volunteers are needed in any form — from playing on a team, to umpiring and more. For more information or to register, contact Bradley Lowery at (850) 232-3205 or BJL0005@auburn.edu.

A benefit account has been established at United Bank in Atmore for Mark Shipps, Jr.  The account information is: Mark Shipps Jr. Benefit Account, account #151892711,  P.O. Box 8, Atmore, AL  36504.  Checks should be made out to “Mark Shipps Jr. Benefit Account”.

The Junior Class Facebook page (click here) also offers more information.

Pictured top and bottom: Mark Allen Shipps, Jr. was critically injured in this accident at about 3:30 a.m. on March 24 in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.