East Amherst ‘American Idol’ Contestant Injured in Accident

During Season 3 of American Idol (the season that gave us Fantasia as a winner and introduced us to Jennifer Hudson), Western New York watched East Amherst native John Stevens rise to sixth place. Then just 16 years old, the Williamsville East alumnus was often compared to Frank Sinatra, his favorite.

This past week in Massachusetts, the red-headed crooner was out for a run when a van hit him, resulting in a fractured skull, swelling in the brain, a broken and dislocated arm. He is also facing possible deafness in his right ear.

He's 28 now and lives in the Boston area. He's recovering in WNY with family and will know the impact of the ear damage once he heads back for further evaluation.

While he's not up to doing interviews with media at the moment, he posted the following note on Facebook:

We'll keep you posted if more info becomes available. For now we wish you a speedy recovery, John!