A local family practitioner, Jerry Pernell-FNP, was struck by lighting Friday. Pernell was doing some tree work upon a ladder when lightning struck a nearby tree, traveled across the ground and up the tree where Mr. Pernell was located. He was air flighted to a Knoxville hospital then to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville.  His burns are mostly internal burns. He has a broken vertebrae too.

His injuries are not life threatening but may require some surgery. The prognosis is good for Jerry’s recovering albeit a timely one. Jerry Pernell is a long-time medical provider at Family Walk-in Clinic in Crossville.