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Randy Budd: Kiss from injured wife was “the best feeling in the world”

WHITE DEER TOWNSHIP — A fourth teen is now charged as an adult in connection with the Interstate 80 rock-throwing attack in July that injured an Ohio scho...

WHITE DEER TOWNSHIP -- A fourth teen is now charged as an adult in connection with the Interstate 80 rock-throwing attack in July that injured an Ohio school teacher.

Keefer McGee, 17, is now charged with eight criminal counts including aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy. He is free on $50,000 bail and due back in court August 19.

When Newswatch 16 arrived at his home on Pleasant View Road, the shades were drawn and nobody answered the door.

Neighbors expressed disappointment that someone so close to home was accused of taking part in the attack.

"I was really shocked that is was my neighbor, I never thought that he would be involved," Thomas Clouser said.

"It is terrible for this area," said Randall Metzger.

The impact of the rock left Sharon Budd of Uniontown, Ohio seriously injured. Since the crash she has been a patient at Geisinger Medical Center. Her husband Randy said in recent days his wife has shown signs of recovery, allowing her condition to be upgraded to serious, and for Sharon to be moved out of the ICU.

Budd said that his wife has been able to speak a few words with the help of a special speaker put up to her throat.

"She's able to say Kaylee's name, she said my name, she said, 'I love you.'"

Budd said his wife was even was able to kiss him.

"When she reached up to kiss me, that was the best feeling in the world."

In a few weeks, Sharon Budd could be moved to a rehabilitation facility, most likely staying in central Pennsylvania where the community has embraced her family, although Randy plans to consider a facility in Ohio as well.

He expressed gratitude for the extraordinary support the local community has shown him, including a house that was loaned to him.

He said of his benefactor, "I could have it on one condition, and that condition is we don't want anything back."

Budd said with his wife making progress, he's finally considering the criminal case against the accused teens.

"I guess one day, I'm not sure if it will happen, they will realize, not just in a courtroom, all the people they affected. Not just Sharon, myself, her kids, her friends, all the children she taught, all the children she will never teach. Our lives have been changed forever."

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