We have posted many times over the past year about Ernie Thacker, and his battle to return home and to the stage after his serious auto accident in April 2006. Fortunately, most of the updates since them have been full of promising news, but the latest is most disconcerting.

David Russell, who manages a web site for Ernie, passed along two messages he had received this morning. The first comes from Matt Thacker, Ernie’s brother.

“Most of you know that my brother Ernie was in a car accident back in April, and has had a tough time recovering. Well he is back in the hospital and needs all the prayers he can get right now. Im not going to go into details about his condition because right now details are still sketchy, but he is in ICU and considered to be in critical condition. I am getting ready to leave OH to go back to VA and be with him now.

I believe so many people praying is what got him this far, so please if you know me or my brother, pray for him now.”

The second comes from Ernie Evans, who had performed with Thacker in Route 23.

“Please keep Ernie and his family in your prayers tonight. Unfortunately, he is once again in a struggle for his life. His accident has been hard on he and his family and his healing has been slow.

I spoke to Jen a few minutes ago and they are all by his side. It is still unclear what his condition is but he is in good care in ICU. As far as we know he is dealing with complications from infections to pneumonia. They have all been through a lot since this has happened and want everyone to know that your prayers are important and have meant so much already.

More information will be released as we learn more about his progress but for now they need time alone with him. Phone calls are hard to manage as you can imagine.”

Donations are still being accepted for Ernie’s health expenses.

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