Rodney Preddy, who has managed and promoted PreddyFest this past 16 years in Franklinton, NC, was seriously injured in the early hours of this morning.
While returning home from Roxboro, NC last night, he was struck in the eye by a bullet fired from outside his vehicle. He managed to maneuver his truck to a nearby AutoZone, where an employee called 911.
Preddy was taken by ambulance to Duke University Hospital, where he underwent surgery on his eye around 3:00 a.m. He has since been released from the hospital, but faces several more reconstructive surgeries before he can fully recover.
Police are unsure whether the shot came from another vehicle, or someone standing along Orange Road in Oxford, NC where Rodney was driving at the time. He said that he thought he heard fireworks, and then realized that he had been shot. The bullet apparently entered from behind him in the vehicle, hit his right eye, and then exited through the front windshield.
Preddy has lost the eye, but doctors believe they can rebuild the facial bones that were shattered by the bullet.
PreddyFest, scheduled for July 31-August 2, will continue as scheduled. This will be the 17th annual event which features traditional bluegrass music in central North Carolina. It is uncertain whether Rodney will be able to attend at this point.
Cards and well wishes can be sent to the festival address:
2284 Green Hill Road
Franklinton, NC 27525
We feel certain that all our readers will join us in wishing Rodney Preddy a speedy and complete recovery.
