[2/17/04]A benefit account for Warren County Deputy Sheriff Mike Hollingsworth was opened this morning at RiverHills Bank.

Donations may be made to the attention of Debra Kette, a bank officer, at either branch of the bank or by mail to 1400 U.S. 61 North in Vicksburg, 39183.

Also, a 10-member committee has been formed to plan a benefit in March.

Hollingsworth, struck by a car on Feb. 9 while directing traffic for a funeral, remained in critical condition at University Medical Center in Jackson. After a weekend of breathing on his own, doctors returned the 38-year-old deputy to a ventilator to help with breathing and are using drugs to induce a “medical coma.”

Mike Hollingsworth’s father, Jack Hollingsworth, said this morning that doctors have said keeping Hollingsworth heavily sedated will help him recover. Jack Hollingsworth said the family is “holding on,” and expecting “good things to happen soon.”

“Just tell everybody to keep praying,” Jack Hollingsworth said.

Bettie Parker, who is on the benefit committee, said the committee will be meeting for the first time Wednesday and will be seeking donations from local businesses. Parker is a longtime friend of Jack Hollingsworth and said she wanted to do something to help the family.

Hollingsworth’s condition had shown signs of improvement last week when he opened his eyes and was reportedly responsive to verbal commands.

The money raised will be used to defray living expenses for Hollingsworth’s wife, Debbie, who is an insurance agent, and their two children.

Ronald Vaughn, 23, remains jailed with no bond set on a charge of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. Mississippi Bureau of Investigation authorities are prosecuting the case based on witness statements that it appeared Vaughn intentionally passed the funeral procession on U.S. 80 and struck Hollingsworth, standing outside his patrol car, before losing control of the Buick sedan he was driving and careening into a ditch.