Rush was flown by CareFlight medical helicopter to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, where he was listed in stable condition Wednesday night. There were no other injuries reported.
Ellis said Rush suffered a gunshot to the left thigh from a large-caliber weapon, which triggered the crashes. A .44 caliber handgun was found inside Rush’s vehicle, and Ellis said the wound appeared self-inflicted.
However, Rush denied shooting himself, said a nursing student who was one of the first responders to the crash scene. Courtney Taulbee, 18, of Middletown — who said she later realized Rush is her cousin’s husband — said Rush shook his head “no” when asked if he’d shot himself and motioned toward the gas station area.
Witness Donnie Profitt, the NAPA Auto Parts manager who helped pull Rush from the truck and applied pressure to Rush’s leg, said he saw gun targets inside the truck.
“The information we had initially, there was no indication that anyone had shot him,” Ellis said.
Second Street surrounding the crash scene remained shut down late Wednesday night as crews worked to replace the utility pole.
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