200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

A 1993 Harley-Davidson motorcycle was eastbound on Orebank Road approaching the John B. Dennis Highway interchange when the operator, Michael Ray Johnson, lost control of the bike. Mr. Johnson failed to negotiate a curve resulting in the motorcycle crossing the center line and the oncoming traffic lane and leaving the left side of the roadway.

Both Mr. Johnson and the motorcycle struck a street sign and a tree before ultimately coming to rest at the bottom of a deep ravine. Mr. Johnson sustained life-threatening injuries in the crash to include his lower leg being completely severed from his body.

Three eyewitnesses reported seeing the motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed as it left the roadway. One of these witnesses, James E. Trent (60 years of age) of Kingsport, rushed to render aid. Seeing the severity of Mr. Johnson’s injuries, Mr. Trent removed his own belt and fashioned it into a tourniquet to prevent further blood loss.

Medical First Responders on scene declared with firm conviction that Mr. Trent’s selfless actions unquestionably saved Mr. Johnson’s life. To witness a critical incident such as this and have the presence of mind to do whatever it takes to save the life of a complete stranger meets and exceeds the definition of a Good Samaritan.

While Mr. Trent was rendering aid, Mr. Johnson told him that the throttle on the motorcycle had become stuck, leading to him losing control. Mr. Johnson was transported to a local medical facility by Sullivan County E.M.S. for emergency medical treatment. This crash remains under investigation by the K.P.D. Traffic Unit.

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit