Canyon Assistant Wade Injured in Car Crash : Accident: Coach’s vehicle is rear-ended by a student’s. Wade was driving home after the Cowboys’ football game against Burroughs on Friday night.

Charles Wade, an assistant football coach at Canyon High for the past 13 years, remained paralyzed from the chest down after suffering injuries in an automobile accident Friday night on Soledad Canyon Road.

Wade, 54, of Canyon Country, suffered a spinal cord injury and was listed in guarded condition Saturday night at Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, said Anna Dye, a clinical supervisor.

Police said Wade was driving home in a 1991 Toyota 4-Runner after the Canyon-Burroughs football game about 11:10 p.m. when his vehicle was struck from behind by a 1975 Volkswagen.

The impact caused Wade’s vehicle to go out of control and roll over four to six times.

The driver of the Volkswagen, a 17-year-old Canyon student, and his three younger passengers were transported to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital in Newhall.

The passengers were treated and released. Upon the request of the driver’s parents, hospital officials declined to release information on his injuries.

“Currently (Wade) is paralyzed from the chest down and has limited use of his hands,” Canyon Coach Harry Welch said.

Welch arrived at the scene of the accident less than a minute after it happened, he said. He had no idea who was in the vehicles when he left his car to offer his assistance.

“I just pulled over because I thought I might be able help,” Welch said.

“He was crushed inside the car. (The car) was right-side up, but all the wheels were flat. His seat belt saved his life.”

Welch telephoned Wade’s son, Joey, in San Luis Obispo after the accident. Joey Wade, a former Canyon player who plays wide receiver at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, drove home to be at his father’s side.

“Chuck told him to return to school and play (football),” Welch said.

Joey Wade made 11 catches for 235 yards and three touchdowns Saturday, but San Luis Obispo lost to Cal State Sacramento, 35-33, at San Luis Obispo.

Joey Wade will return to his father’s side about noon today, Welch said.

Wade, a former teacher and assistant coach at Alemany, teaches math at Canyon and serves as strength and conditioning coach for the track and field team.

“He is one of the most popular and loved people on campus,” Welch said.

It was the second tragedy to strike the Cowboys this year. In June, lineman Mike Pulliam was killed when he fell out of a truck in which he was riding.