It was a Friday and finally the day had come for Honey and I to take our long planned motorcycle trip to Bisbee, Az where we were to meet up with several friends. With our bike all packed up we set off for Phoenix where we would spend the night with a friend planning to motorcycle to Bisbee together in the morning.

We stopped about 15 miles south of Prescott (where we live) for gas and then proceeded toward Phoenix. It was about 5PM and there was moderate to heavy traffic flowing. We were in a line of cars in the center lane with a green light displayed for the through lanes. The left turn lane had a red light so there were cars stopped awaiting the signal for a left turn. The speed limit there is 5s5 MPH and the line of traffic we were in was traveling about 45-50 MPH. Without any warning, a man (pedestrian) suddenly emerged from between the stopped cars on our left waiting to make the left turn. Where he entered our lane was only the space of about 2 or 3 car lengths ahead of us. When he saw us coming toward him at such a close distance he froze. At our speed and proximity to him, I didn’t even have time to brake. The last thing I remember was the mighty widening of his eyes (and ours) and Honey saying, “a man!!!!”, and then - we struck him!

My next recollection was viewing Honey on the road about 10 feet to my left, the motorcycle on its side about 10 feet in front of us and I was lying on my back on the road. Honey was bleeding under her right cheek bone and I was so relieved to see her moving. The man whom we had struck was further back from us and I could not see him.

Immediately, there were people everywhere helping us. A few people were attending to Honey and someone had their hands around my head to support and immobilize it. I so much wanted to go to Honey but they said to stay still and don’t move. The police and firemen soon arrived and airlifted the struck man to a trauma hospital in Phoenix. We were told his leg was severely broken and we have not heard of what other injuries he sustained. Honey was also airlifted to a trauma hospital in Phoenix and suffered a broken clavicle, at least 1 broken rib and a small hole in her lung as well as “road rash” and cuts in various places. I faired the best with only sore ribs (from hitting the road), assorted cuts and scrapes, and a severely swollen ankle which I thought was broken but turned out to be sprained. I was brought to a hospital by ambulance and X rayed and CAT scanned and released with an ankle brace.

Whenever Honey and I ride the bike we always wear helmets, gloves, and protective outer wear. At the time of the accident, Honey wore a helmet with a drop down clear face shield, leather jacket, leather pants, boots and (because it was warm) half gloves with the fingers exposed. I wore a full face helmet, a rider’s jacket with body armor (special protective pads within the jacket covering the shoulders, elbows, forearms and back), jeans, heavy sneakers and half gloves. Although Arizona is a State that does not require helmets, we always wear such protective gear and are so happy we did this day. From the scratches on our helmets and scrapes and rips on our other clothing it is apparent that we would have sustained MUCH greater injuries, and possible death, had we not been so attired.

We would like to ask for your prayers for speedy and complete healing of all Honey’s injuries with no scaring to her face, for my ankle to heal strong and firm, for the recovery and healing of the struck man and for all the ensuing legal and insurance details to be properly worked out.

The policeman who interviewed me while I was in the hospital said there were at least 5 eye witnesses who gave statements and said no charges would be laid against me. I voluntarily gave a blood sample to prove no alcohol or drugs were onboard.

Please also pray for our finances as this will put both Honey and I out of work for some time.

We greatly appreciate your love, concern and prayers for us in this hour of need. We count ourselves greatly blessed that no lives were lost and we were supernaturally protected from greater injuries than we sustained.

With thankful hearts,

Gabe and Honey Moonshine

MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT UPDATE

We would like to thank each and every one of you for your earnest prayers, love, communications and concern. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth MUCH!!!” Your prayers are at work. Honey has returned home after having to spend an extra day in the hospital due to her lung problem. She is trying to find positions that allow her to rest with no pain – and that is tricky with a broken collarbone and ribs. The “road rash” on her face has all but disappeared, and her many bruises are also on the mend. She was so thankful to have a shower and shampoo after 4 days in the hospital bed. Although the meds that were prescribed for pain are nowhere near hospital strength, they are sufficient to keep her comfortable and she is trying to use them only minimally.

My ankle continues to improve by the day as the swelling subsides and the joint strengthens. I am able to walk with a slight limp at this time, but am trying to not spend too much time standing or walking. Both Honey and I are feeling the points of contact (hips, elbows, legs, hands, etc.) that we had with the road when we were thrown from the bike and they are still sore. What an incredible wonder it is how God designed such a complex creation as our bodies with the ability to heal itself!

We have heard that the struck pedestrian sustained a compound fracture to his leg (among other cuts and bruises) and was operated on and released from the hospital. We are so thankful his injuries were not more serious as Honey and I on our bike weigh over 800 lbs and traveling at 45-50 MPH, things could have turned out much worse than they did.

We are still very much in the dark as to the insurance coverage vs the costs of this whole ordeal. Although the police have indicated there will be no charges laid against me for striking the pedestrian (due to the fact he darted out into moving traffic) the official accident report has not been completed yet. I have been consumed with interactions with the police, insurance agents, towing companies and doctors and hospitals. Sorting all the details out is complex.

We continue to ask for your prayers for our complete recoveries and that the financial and legal situations would be worked out without a huge debt being laid on us, nor an ensuing legal problem persisting.

Again, we thank each of you who responded to our prayer request and for those who heard through the “grapevine” and have contacted us. Our hearts have been deeply touched by the love we have received from the dear ones we are fortunate enough to call our FRIENDS!!!

Our contact information is as follows: [email protected] for anyone who wishes to communicate.