Monday, 27 April 2009

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Casey Aldridge hospitalised after car accident

Jamie Lynn Spears’ fiancé hurt in crash

Jamie Lynn Spears has been keeping a bedside vigil for Casey Aldridge

Casey Aldridge, the father of Jamie Lynn Spears's 10-month-old daughter Maddie, was injured in a car accident early Sunday morning. Police have charged him with careless operation of a vehicle, which is a misdemeanor.

Spears, 18, as well as Aldridge's family – including his mother, father and sister – are at Casey's side where he is hospitalized at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, according to sources. Staff at the hospital would not confirm Aldridge is undergoing treatment there.

A family source tells PEOPLE Aldridge is fully alert, resting and talking to friends and family. "The doctors are pretty positive he's going to be okay," the source says. "He should recover fully. Of course you never know, but they're not expecting him to get any worse."

Doctors plan to keep Aldridge in the intensive care unit for three days "to keep a close check on him," the source adds. "They are planning no surgery unless something happens."

Aldridge, 19, was driving a 2008 Ford F-250 pickup when the wreck occurred at 1:30 a.m. Sunday near Lake Bruin in Tensas Parish, La., Master Trooper Billy Ziegler of Louisiana State Police tells PEOPLE. The accident happened in a stretch of road described as an entry and exit for Lake Bruin, a recreational lake that is a popular spot to fish.

After the accident, Aldridge was taken by ambulance to Riverland Medical Center in Vidalia, La., police say. There is no indication that he was tested for drug or alcohol usage.

A source tells PEOPLE that Aldridge was attending a bachelor party for his cousin, when he and some friends decided to go crabbing. He was driving his truck with several passengers when it went off the shoulder of the road and flipped over, adds the source.

As for Spears, another source tells PEOPLE: "This must be just horrible for Jamie Lynn. I know she loves him."

A rep for Spears has yet to comment.

^{By Mark Lambert and Ruth Laney}

SEE PICTURES Jamie Lynn Spears: From American sweetheart to teen mum>>