Man injured after crashing into tree that fell in front of his vehicle in Butler County

A Butler County man continues to recover at Allegheny General Hospital after what family members are calling a ‘freak accident’ last Friday.

Family friends told Channel 11 Shannon Ace’s Jeep Wrangler slammed into a tree that fell across Route 8 in Butler just seconds before impact. Ace’s Jeep went airborne, over a guardrail and a hillside.

“He had a broken back, a broken neck, a broken sternum, broken ribs…” said Mercedes Compton, a family friend.

Ace was flown to AGH, where he has undergone spine surgery and remains on a ventilator. Another surgery is scheduled to repair his jaw.

Ace’s wife and three daughters are praying for the best possible outcome, but family friends said they are aware of the challenges ahead.

“They are very hopeful he makes a full recovery. It is just going to be a very slow process,” Compton said. “He was the sole provider for his family, his daughters…”

Friends and community members have raised thousands of dollars through a GoFundMe account to help the Ace family in this time of need.

“The support of everybody right now that they have – it’s just truly amazing, and it’s definitely making a difference,” Compton said.

Ace remains in the ICU. He has a breathing tube but is awake, as of Wednesday evening.

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