BLACKSHEAR — “Santa”, or at least one of his main helpers, was seriously injured in a car accident last Wednesday near Sunshine Grocery in Pierce County.
According to an accident report by the Georgia State Patrol, a two-vehicle accident occurred on College Avenue near its intersection with St. Johns Church Road at 4:27 p.m., Wednesday, December 4. Samantha Ruth Strickland, 44, was driving a 2018 Nissan Murano south on College Avenue. According to the report, Strickland failed to stop at the stop sign and struck a 2014 Dodge Ram pick-up driven by Joseph Troy Shuman, 59, of Hoboken.
Strickland was not injured in the accident.
Shuman was seriously injured and was transferred by AirEvac medical helicopter to the UF Health Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla., complaining of numbness in his extremeties.
Shuman is well known for portraying Santa throughout Pierce, Brantley, Ware and surrounding counties.
Shuman was on his way to be Santa for a photo opportunity with Pierce County children when the accident occurred.
Shuman
Shuman underwent surgery Friday and is now working to regain movement in his arms.
Local educator Theresa Alonso is also a photographer who was working with Shuman. She has set up a Go-FundMe page to assist Shuman.
Those wishing to donate may do so by going to www.gofundme.com/f/help-santa-recover-supportjoey- shumans-new-sleigh-fund.
Many in the community say Shuman and his wife, Sheila, always display “the true spirit of Christmas.” Mrs. Shuman joins her husband on occasion and portrays Mrs. Claus, though she was not with him Wednesday.
“Mr. Joey and Mrs. Sheila share the joy, wonder, and love of Christ with each and every interaction they have during the Christmas season,” said Alonso. “He openly acknowledges that ‘this Santa gig’ is a true gift and calling in ministering to others.”
