A 14-year-old boy Alcovy High School student was struck by a car while jogging Friday evening.

According to Georgia State Patrol spokesman Gordy Wright, Jeremy Branch, a freshman who is also on the ninth-grade football team, was jogging in the paved area between the fog-line and the grassy shoulder when he was struck on Ga. Highway 81, just north of Cowan Road.

A 1994 Dodge pickup truck being driven by 17-year-old Austin Weeks had slowed for traffic ahead when it struck Branch. The roadway was wet at the time of the accident.

Branch was transported to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston where he remains as of press time in intensive care in critical condition.  

Charges against Weeks are pending the results of the investigation.

Counselors are available at the school, should any student wish to speak to one, according to Newton County School System Director of Public Relations, Sherri Davis-Viniard.

"It was a shock to hear that he had been struck by a vehicle but we were definitely relieved when we found out he survived," said Davis-Viniard. "The school principal Dr. LaQuanda Brown has been keeping in contact with the family as we are obviously very interested to hear updates on his condition. We hope he has a speedy recovery and can get back to school as soon as possible."