By Scott Harvey
Dallas – The status of two Texas A&M University-Commerce students injured in separate accidents last week is improving.
19-year-old Tanner Bryant Burnett underwent his third surgery this week since last Thursday's crash near Campbell that killed Malorie Elise Bullock.
Services were held Tuesday for the 19-year-old Sherman resident, who died when Burnett's motorcycle left the road at hit a sign.
The incident occurred when the two were traveling northbound along Highway 24/50. A white truck reportedly pulled out of the Valero gas station in front of Burnett, forcing him to swerve. Those details are unconfirmed pending investigations from two different teams with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Burnett remains at Parkland Hospital in Dallas.
According to his mother, Jeanette, Tanner suffered multiple broken bones in his legs and right arm. Doctors used seven plates and three rods to repair the breaks. They also performed a skin graft, removing tissue from his thigh to rebuild Burnett's right forearm. Surgery on his wrist is scheduled to take place within a couple weeks. He'll be transported for physical rehabilitation next week.
Jeanette Burnett says Tanner has a good attitude and the parents of Malorie Bullock have been really supportive.
"Tanner is going to heal physically. It's going to be a considerably harder road emotionally," said Jeanette Burnett.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Lorena Garcia is also showing signs of improvement. Garcia was one of two students struck by an SUV while crossing a crosswalk last Thursday on Highway 50 in Commerce.
Garcia was reportedly thrown 75 feet into the air before landing on the roadway and suffered multiple broken bones.
Upon initial transport to Parkland Hospital Garcia was listed in critical condition. She's now physically able to walk, and has casts on her left ankle and wrist.
There had allegedly been claims Garcia would be rendered paralyzed from the accident. Not true, according to Commerce Police Chief Kerry Crews, who spoke with officials at Parkland.
The second student hit while on the crosswalk, 19-year-old Rayhan Sarwar, reportedly stayed one night at Presbyterian Hospital in Greenville before being released.