Ryan, who was on his way from a doctor's appointment to a double-header at Chapmanville when the crash happened, is still in critical condition in the intensive care unit at Cabell Huntington Hospital, but, according to a statement issued by Williamson Fire Chief Jerry Mounts, Ryan is stable and improving.
Ryan, 54, suffered a crushing injury to his right ankle, a fractured left elbow, four fractured ribs, a broken pelvis, severe abdominal bruising and a hematoma on his brain.
Mounts said the Ryan family appreciate people's concern and prayers.
"They are actually overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and offers of prayers," Mounts said.
Ryan has been a career firefighter since August 1981. He's spent 33 years dedicated to service with the Williamson Fire Department and holds the rank of senior lieutenant. He is president of the local chapter of the International Association of Firefighters and chairman of the WFD annual Muscular Dystrophy Association charitable fund raising efforts.
Ryan is a longtime veteran baseball umpire with the Tug Valley Board of Officials.
"Bobby epitomizes what being given the opportunity to be a firefighter means ... and that's to help those in need regardless of their station in life. I have seen Bobby create problems for himself as a result of his selfless acts of generosity because he has always had such a sense of duty to help.
"We have fielded countless calls from people near and far who, after hearing about Bobby, wanted to know how he was doing. We're actually keeping a log of the names to give to Bobby when he recovers. We want people to know that they are more than welcome to continue to call for updates at anytime. Lt. Joey Carey is assigned the duty of collecting routine updates of Bobby's condition for the department and the general public."
Mounts said Ryan is surrounded by his family, including his daughter Tara and her husband Jack Hatfield of Williamson; daughter Kaitlyn and her husband Tom Varney of Turkey Creek, Ky., grandsons Jake and Chase Varney; mother, Charlene Ryan of Williamson and brother, Harry, of Morehead, Ky.
Bill Hinkle of Taylorville, who was driving the other vehicle, was killed in the crash.
One of the vehicles crossed the center line and struck the other head-on near the fish pond along U.S. Route 52 between Naugatuck and Kermit, Carey said.
Mingo County Chief Field Deputy James Smith said Hinkle was driving a Chevy Impala north on U.S. 52 at Naugatuck when he crossed the centerline and struck the southbound Dodge Avenger being driven by Williamson Fire Department Lt. Bobby Ryan of Williamson. Hinkle was pronounced dead on scene.
Kermit Volunteer firefighters used the jaws-of-life to extricate Ryan from his vehicle. He was then airlifted to Cabell Huntington Hospital.
"It looks as if Ryan tried to pull off the roadway to keep from striking Hinkle's vehicle," Smith said. "It appears as if both drivers were traveling at a high rate of speed."
Mingo Deputy Sheriff's Department Cpl. Norman Mines is investigating the accident, assisted by Det. Joe Smith and Deputy Smith.
Ryan is well-known in the coalfields and across the state as an umpire. He has umpired several state tournament games and high school contests in Mingo and Logan counties.
"He is well-loved by everybody," Williamson Fire Department Lt. Joey Carey said of his former partner on the fire department. Carey said he was Ryan's partner for a long time, until he was promoted and the two men began working different hours. "That was hard on me when we went on different shifts," Carey added.
Hinkle was a former butcher at the Taylorville Supermarket across from his home in Taylorville. He was buried today.
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Mounts said cards and well-wishes can be sent to Ryan at:
Bobby Ryan, Room 4905
Cabell Huntington Hospital
1340 Hal Greer Boulevard
Huntington, W.Va. 25701
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