SUMMERDALE, Alabama -- After a recently hired officer was seriously injured in a single-vehicle accident Saturday morning, the town is setting up a fund to help pay for the patrolman's medical bills, officers said.

New hire Terry Fent, 37, from Robertsdale is currently at USA Hospital in Mobile, Ala., after attempting to avoid an animal on Hoffman Road around 8:10 a.m. Saturday, Chief Eddie Ingram said. According to the chief, Fent hit a culvert with his pickup truck on the way to a training session after his wheels left the road and the vehicle steered into a ditch.

The patrolman broke his back in two places near his neck and his lower back, suffered massive head injuries and a spinal cord injury, Ingram said. Fent is experiencing numb limbs and loss of dexterity in his arms but is not paralyzed, according to the victim's mother.

Fent is listed as in stable condition after he was admitted in critical condition Saturday.

"He took a bad turn (Monday)," Ingram said. "He had to get a deeding tube and it looks like he may have some serious neck injuries. We just don't know," Ingram said.

Fent was rehired by the highway-side town in November. The injured man was an officer for the Summerdale Police Department in years past and recently decided to return, Ingram said. Fent was the assistant chief in Silverhill before taking the Summerdale job.

Fent has worked in law enforcement for 14 years. He has been a model officer, according to the chief.

"He's actually a very good officer, to be honest. He's what we're looking for. He works, he doesn't gripe. I've never had an officer complain about him. Since he's been back, he's done a real good job. We just hope he can come back," Ingram said. "He's a good guy. I just hate it."

According to Ingram, doctors said Fent may be facing a minimum of three months in the hospital to treat his head, neck, and back injuries.

"He's got a long way to go," Ingram said. "He won't break out of the woods overnight. We don't have a lot of information on his injuries or what it means long term yet."

Because Fent was still under a three-month probationary period as a condition of his hire, he did not have any health insurance, Ingram said. The police department has set up a fund to help the wounded officer pay medical expenses related to the accident.

"We haven't got a whole lot of cash, but we're getting some in. We've collected about $500 so far (as of Monday morning)," Ingram said. "We've had an amazing amount of support from the community."

Ingram said he has asked town officials to look into finding a solution for new hires that are seriously injured. Because he was not on the job, Fent is not eligible for workman's compensation.

"As far as I know, this is the first time something like this has happened for the town. I've been in it 32 years, and this is a first time I've seen something like this happen," Ingram said. "We're going to look at it and try to make some corrections. I don't think anybody ever thought of someone being injured off the clock during their probationary period."

Donations for Fent's medical expenses can be delivered or mailed to the Summerdale Municipal Complex at 502 W. Lee Ave, Summerdale, Ala. Donors should make checks payable to Terry Fent, Ingram said.

"We'll make sure he gets every penny," Ingram said.