Coach hit by truck while on run with students

Stacey Merck, 38, was out on a run with Chestatee High School students Sunday morning when the mirror of a Dodge Ram struck her in the face. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)

Stacey Merck, 38, was out on a run with Chestatee High School students Sunday morning when the mirror of a Dodge Ram struck her in the face. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)

A Hall County cross country coach was at Grady Hospital Monday awaiting facial surgery after getting hit by a truck, according to Channel 2 Action News.

Stacey Merck, 38, was out on a run with Chestatee High School students Sunday morning when the mirror of a Dodge Ram struck her in the face.

Her injuries were not life-threatening, the television station reported.

The group was running north of Sardis Road on Chestatee Road, according to the Georgia State Patrol.

Merck told police she was on the shoulder of the road, while the Dodge driver said she was in the road.

Student Samantha Stilwell told Channel 2 Merck’s accident makes her nervous as a student and a driver.

“Even if you think that you’re a safe driver, a lot of times it’s other people that you have to watch out,” Stilwell said. “A lot of times, even when I’m driving, I see students running on the road and sometimes you have to swerve just to miss them. I think it’s really dangerous.”