Clarke County Democrat

Sandflat couple riding with local motorcycle club seriously injured in Chattanooga accident






Mickey and Judy Stephens are hospitalized with multiple injuries.

Mickey and Judy Stephens are hospitalized with multiple injuries.

A Memorial Day weekend outing for a group of Clarke County motorcycle enthusiasts turned tragic in Chattanooga Friday afternoon when an accident severely injured two riders.

Mickey and Judy Stephens’ Honda Gold Wing trike was struck by a speeding car from behind on Interstate 75. They were thrown from the trike. The Sandflat couple’s trike then crashed into a Harley trike ridden by Mike and Kay Syphrit of Jackson, causing them to wreck.

Susan and Marty Gardner of Jackson are part of the group that calls themselves “Bikers Buds.”

Susan Gardner said the group was riding in formation for safety, as they always do. Traffic was moving slowly along the congested interstate. The Stephens’ trike usually brings up the rear and she said she heard a noise and looked back and saw the wreck. She said they all stopped and rushed back and she initially feared the worst.

“We are a family and we look out for one another. We always stress safety.”

Mike Syphrit is an EMT and Sandy Newton of the group is a nurse. They immediately started tending to the injured. A passing nurse and nurse’s aide stopped to assist.

“Everyone was just wonderful to help, including the police officers,” Gardner said.

Mickey Stephens suffered a broken back, broken ribs, a punctured lung and other injuries. His wife had a broken pelvis, ankle, collar bone and nose and other injuries.

They are in a Chattanooga hospital and have already undergone surgeries. Gardner said they will likely have a long recovery.

Gardner said it was a young man who hit the riders. “He never stopped talking on his cell phone and he never came up to see how everyone was,” she said. She said other motorists who stopped noted how recklessly he had been driving.

The group was headed to Sevierville, Tenn. where they planned to spend the weekend riding in the region. The accident ended the outing and they all returned home.

Other riders included Sandy Newton and her husband Mike of Thomasville, Raymond McDuff, Vince Holly and Craig Anderson, all from Jackson, and Robert Dean of Coffeeville.

Gardner said the Stephens children are all with their parents. She said the group will raise and contribute money to assist with their expenses while in Chattanooga.

She said the club will be meeting at Gaston’s Grill Thursday evening to discuss the accident and fundraising.

As bad as the accident was, “We are just thankful God was watching over us,” Gardner said.


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