U.S. International Charlie Davies Injured in Automobile Accident

U.S. Soccer and French League 1 team Sochaux forward Charlie Davies was injured earlier today in an automobile accident. One fatality was reported, a U.S. Soccer Federation Spokesman said.

The incident occurred around 3:15 a.m. ET on the George Washington Memorial Parkway, in Washington D.C. The SUV in which they were driving was reported to have split into two after crashing into the metal guardrail along the side of the road, U.S. Park Police spokesman David Schlosser said, as quoted by The Washington Post.

Davies, a rising star for his club and national team, was rushed into surgery Tuesday afternoon, and is reported to be in stable condition. His injuries, according to U.S. Soccer Federation spokesman Neil Buethe, are not life-threatening.

U.S. coach Bob Bradley, after hearing the news, had this to say:

"Obviously, as a team we were saddened to learn this news. Our thoughts and prayers are with Charlie and his family, as well as the people in the car and the families of the others involved. As a team, we are relying on each other in a moment that has for sure hit us all hard."

The tibia and femur in Davies' right leg were broken, and he also sustained a fractured left elbow, as well as facial fractures. The forward also sustained a lacerated bladder in the accident.

U.S. team doctors stated that the recovery time for such injuries is about 6-12 months, as well as substantial time in rehabilitation.

Injuries of this nature usually require a recovery period of 6 to 12 months and extensive rehabilitation", Dr. Dan Kalbac, one of the U.S. team doctors who worked with the doctors at the hospital, was quoted as saying. "Due to Charlie's fitness level, his prognosis for recovery and his ability to resume high-level competition is substantially improved."

Davies, who has four goals in 17 games for the U.S., is in the D.C. area with the U.S. Soccer national team. The team is currently preparing for their World Cup Qualifying finale on Wednesday against Costa Rica.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report