Nashville, Tennessee, Couple Smashes Into Bridge Pillar At 85 MPH — And Survives With Minor Injuries

This Nashville, Tennessee, couple has shown the world the aftermath of their horrendous wreck. At 85 miles per hour, Hunter Hanks’ and Arika Stovall’s vehicle was mangled with them inside. Yet, the couple walked away with only minor injuries.

According to the Gospel Herald, the Nashville couple attributed their continued existence to God. The couple mentioned that their survival was “only by the grace of God.” On January 3, the Nashville couple gave their testimony via Facebook. The two said that the wreckage and carnage should’ve chopped their bodies in half.

However, the Nashville couple mentions that they’re overwhelmed that there were no greater injuries than those they encountered. As for reported details, according to the Nashville couple, neither of the two experienced any broken bones. They both had concussions, but they only lasted less than 24 hours. The Nashville couple had no internal injuries. Arika needed “just a few” stitches to her knee. Likewise, Hunter needed minimal stitches to his face. Can you tell?

https://www.facebook.com/hankshunter/posts/1004594319587094

Apparently, according to Arika’s Facebook post, it only took three seconds before they made contact with the bridge’s pillar after drifting off the road. She stated as follows.

“That’s how long we had from the moment we drifted off the road until the truck hit the pilar at 85mph. In three seconds Hunter had to handle a situation that would either kill us immediately or save our lives. He keeps beating himself up for my pain but he saved my life. He keeps saying ‘I should have protected you and I didn’t do that’, but he did exactly what he needed to do to make sure my life didn’t end.”

The Nashville couple has been nothing but supportive of each other. While they may have been close before the accident, coming through it together has strengthened their relationship dramatically. As she stated, Arika knew Hunter would protect her, regardless. She noted, “He took care of me. And when we were both lying in our beds in the ER he found a way to come protect my heart and give me a hug. Lord knows I needed that just as much as my safety.”

On the other end of the spectrum, the Nashville couple is experiencing some “post-traumatic” symptoms. Arika noted that she sometimes has heart complications. According to her testimony, when she either gets anxious or worried, her heart flutters “pretty bad.” Moreover, those results tend to take her into panic attacks.

https://www.facebook.com/hankshunter/posts/1003734053006454

From her memory, she offered a depiction of her view at the wreckage.

“Looking to the drivers seat all I saw was his [Hunter’s] head through the windshield, a face full of blood, and a body that wasn’t moving.”

She recalled a man who helped distract her from Hunter’s emergency situation. From her description, he had to be “peeled” from the vehicle. To that, she noted — had she seen that happen — possibly, she would have had a heart attack. However, the other man kept her attention away from Hunter’s situation.

The Nashville couple has been thanking everyone for all support, condolences, and prayers rendered on their behalf. Two days after the incident, the couple was able to capture a photo (without their neck braces) in front of their mangled truck. The Nashville couple quotes that the situation was a “frightening” and “beautiful” miracle, nonetheless.

According to WREG News – Memphis, Hunter’s main concern was only Arika, even after arriving to the hospital. This type of care, compassion, and commitment from this Nashville couple is what you could call “relationship goals.”

“All I cared about was seeing her and making sure she was okay before me. I didn’t care what happened to me as long as she was all right.”

And that can be seen in the Nashville couple’s photo. It has gone viral since they posted it to Facebook days ago.

https://www.facebook.com/arika.stovall/posts/10205493694967771

Likewise, the couple has received support from their families in Nashville, Tennessee, as well as Baker, Florida. According to their testimonies, Hunter is from Baker, and Arika is from Chicago, but lives in Nashville.

All in all, how do you feel about the Nashville couple’s testimony? Do you know any other couple who has surmounted similar odds? Feel free to share their stories in the comments.

[Image via Arika Stovall/Facebook]