Published: November 21, 2006 04:05 pm      

2 people seriously injured in car crash

London businessman and his daughter remain hospitalized

A prominent London businessman and his teenage daughter struggle for their lives after being seriously injured in a car crash early Wednesday.

Priyakant Patel, 45, who owns at least four London hotels, and 16-year-old Leena Patel, a South Laurel High School student, underwent surgery for their injuries throughout much of the afternoon Nov. 15. Priyakant Patel was listed in critical condition and Leena Patel was in serious condition as of Thursday morning.

Kentucky State Police Public Affairs Trooper Don Trosper said 27-year-old Jennifer Gaddis, of London, was driving her 2001 Jeep Liberty west on KY 192 when she lost control of the sports utility vehicle in a curve just before 8 a.m.

The Jeep crossed the center line and slammed into the Patels’ 2002 two-door Lexus, said KSP Detective Mike Bowling, an accident reconstructionist.

Wet roads are likely to blame for the crash, which happened just west of London Country Club.

Gaddis was treated for minor injuries and released from Marymount Medical Center. Her 10-year-old passenger Sahra Baker, also of London, was not injured.

Both Priyakant and Leena Patel were airlifted from the scene to the UK hospital in Lexington, while many of their fellow community members anxiously awaited news and hoped for the best.

Randy Smith, executive director of the London-Laurel County Chamber of Commerce, calls Priyakant Patel a “dear friend.”

“This chamber of commerce and myself, personally, extend our prayers for his and Leena’s recovery,” Smith said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family in this difficult time.”

Patel and wife Tina have one other child.

Smith’s family once operated the former Ramada Inn, which Priyakant Patel purchased around 1995. The hotel was converted to a Day’s Inn, and is now undergoing construction and renovation as a Country Inn and Suites.

“I like him and respect him, particularly for what he has accomplished from a business standpoint,” Smith said.

Priyakant Patel has ownership in London hotels including Country Inn and Suites, Ramada Limited and Days Inn. He is “part of between 50-70 hotels and involved in dozens of projects” across Kentucky and bordering states, Smith said.

“He is amazing,” Smith noted. “He is a developer, and he is a very creative person, a very creative man. He is an entrepreneur — If I’ve ever seen an entrepreneur it would be Priyakant.”

Ken Harvey, executive director of the London-Laurel County Tourist Commission, noted he too has “worked with (Priyakant Patel) on many things.”

“He’s been real good to work with here locally,” Harvey said, fondly recalling his friend’s invitation to learn cricket, a sport Harvey simply could never pick up. “I wish the best for him and his family, and I hope both he and his daughter have a complete and total recovery ... It makes it that much worse when a young person is involved.”