Friends plan homecoming for injured teen

Aubrey Thompson recovering from October accident

ST. JOHN, Fla. – Bartram High School junior Aubrey Thompson was thrown from a pickup truck in October and suffered severe head trauma.  He has spent months in an Atlanta hospital recovering.

Channel 4 has learned that Thompson will arrive home Friday and there are big plans to give the Bartram Bears football player a very warm welcome back to Florida.

A group of Thompson's friends are asking other friends, family and supporters to greet him as he arrives home Friday. The group is asking people to set up on the west side of State Road 13 by the Sonic Restaurant, and line up along the road to wave and cheer as he arrives in Fruit Cove.

The journey toward recovery has been a long and difficult one for the three-sport varsity athlete at Bartram Trail High School. Thompson's football coach, Darrell Sutherland, told Channel 4 that the community has been praying for Aubrey's recovery and return home.

"I am anxious to get to see him, and I am really amazed by how the community has rallied around him and his family. It really speaks volumes to the faith and love in our community," said Sutherland.

Thompson is expected home between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Friday; friends are urging folks to check back on the "Pray for Aubrey" Facebook page for updates about his trip home.

Students at Bartram Trail are also planning a fundraiser to for Thompson's medical expenses on Sunday on the Bartram Trail High School practice field from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.