Tennessee couple recovering from accident, urges drivers to be cautious as motorcycle season begins

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Shayanne Brents said she and her husband Joe set out for what was supposed to be a leisurely weekend of hiking, but their day took a harrowing turn on their way back home on April 14.

While riding their motorcycle along Port Royal Road and Tolleson Road in Robertson County, they encountered a truck barreling toward them, forcing Joe to make a split-second decision to swerve and avoid collision.

“He was just right in the middle of the road and we just, we had to... I remember him pulling just really quick, having to swing over, and then I remember the bike losing control, and then I just remember pain after that,” Shayanne recalls of the terrifying moment.

Shayanne was thrown into the road. Joe landed in a nearby field. They both suffered multiple injuries in the accident and were rushed to Skyline Medical Center for treatment. Despite the severity of their injuries, Shayanne expresses gratitude that it wasn’t worse.

“So grateful because when we showed up to that trauma ER, we were one of eight motorcycle accidents that day and ours was definitely probably the better outcome than a lot of those and I’m also grateful because we were inches from a tree.”

After six days in the hospital, Shayanne was discharged, but Joe remains hospitalized, facing a long road to recovery.

“He should have kind of a timeline when he has to come home, but he’s gonna be in a wheelchair, and his recovery is at least gonna be a year or so. Or more. We’re not sure; it just depends on his PT and how he does.”

The couple is now urging drivers to exercise caution, particularly with warmer weather bringing more motorcyclists onto the roads.

“It would be nice if people could be more aware or less aggressive. I feel like there’s an aggression towards motorcyclists here,” Shayanne said.

Due to the accident, Shayanne’s livelihood, running a bakery out of her home, has been impacted.

“I just started getting all these orders, and then it was just starting to get regular business, and then this happened, and now I don’t know when I’m going to be able to work again... I’m scared I’m gonna be forgotten when I am back and then not have any, have to basically start over with building my name again.”

As Shayanne and Joe focus on their recovery, they want to remind drivers to share the road responsibly, giving motorcyclists the space they need to navigate safely. Especially along roads with potholes, gravel, and other debris that may be a hazard.

A GoFundMe has been made to help Joe and Shayanne pay for their medical expenses.

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