News Article

It was a surprisingly pleasant December morning. It was partly sunny and warm; the rain gently tapped against the windows. MTSU was set to face UAB for the Conference USA championship in a couple of hours, so I was up “dancing” around the house to the likes of Major Lazer, Mø, and Odesza while getting ready for the game. My girlfriend, Destiny Womack, was relaxing in the bedroom with our fur babies: two boxers, Donnie and Tyson and Charlie the Corgi.  I grabbed a seat at the dining room table to take a look at my computer. If you’ve ever been to our home, you know the spot I always sit at the table; it’s my spot. The blinds were open to soak in the view of our eclectic neighborhood, specifically where Bell ends on Spring. I peer above my laptop screen and catch a glimpse of a large silver Chevrolet truck coming down Bell Street towards our house at a high rate of speed. 

“It sounded like a bomb went off”, said my girlfriend. That “bomb” was a ten thousand pound truck driving through our dining room at 60mph.  That “bomb” hit me directly in my chest and knocked me 15 feet back into the kitchen. It was all in slow motion. I remember blinking and when my eyes opened, they were staring up at the ceiling. I could hear the commotion that was outside now in my dining room, where I was just sitting.  I hopped up, noticed a full-size truck in the house, told my girlfriend what happened, and ran outside to tell the police that I lived there and was hit. How I knew to do what I did, I’ll never know. How I survived, I’ll never know. 

Did you ever think about a truck sitting in your dining room while the home you’ve spent a lot of time, money, and energy on is sitting exposed for the entire neighborhood to see?  A home is where you are to feel the safest, never vulnerable to this type of event.  Possessions lost that no amount of money can replace. Our home, arguably one of the nicest and best-kept downtown, has been destroyed because of the choice of someone else.  

That’s not what this story is about. This story is about forgiveness. While the person that hit our house made a series of choices that affected us, people make mistakes. I hope she gets the help she needs so no one else is hurt by her decisions. This story is about strength and perseverance.  My girlfriend and I are closer than ever. My mental and physical state are as strong as it ever has been. This story is about perspective. Possessions can be replaced, people can’t. I’m grateful to have survived and will live my life to the fullest after this brush with death. 

But most of all, this story is about rebuilding. Metaphorically, we have picked up the pieces and have rebuilt our lives. Literally, our beautiful home is whole again. Our rebirth comes at a time when the trees are budding and the birds are chirping. I am happier than I ever have been; which is so weird to be based on what has happened the last 5 months. 

This would not have been possible without several people.  Mitchel Truett and Truett Building Group led the construction efforts on this unique project.  I’ve known Mitchell and his family for 25 years; they are the most genuine and kind-hearted folks you’ll meet. Mitchell felt a call to help when the accident occurred and was committed to helping us rebuild our lives.  Pete and Sylvia Silva from ReVintaged Lemon helped design and build custom lights. They also restored a beautiful cabinet that we had purchased just a couple weeks prior to the accident. Deneen Miccuci from Dreamingincolor was instrumental in helping replace furniture in the dining room. Polly Blair from Blackberry House Paint sourced an exact buffet that was destroyed and painted it beautifully. These folks were integral in helping us get back on our feet and our home better than it was. It wasn’t “business” for these people. It was love and friendship. It was genuine care and concern that their neighbor and friend needs help. 

This experience has been a challenging one.  We still have a little ways to go to get the house exactly where we want it. As we open the front door of our home for the first time, a wave of emotions hit us. Most importantly, we are happy to be home. 

Please visit the Accident page for more details about our project.