Former Tennessee state Rep. Jim Vincent was injured Tuesday in a motorcycle accident in North Carolina, but his injuries are not life-threatening, according to his wife.

Mr. Vincent, a Republican who represented District 31 from 2000 to 2004, suffered a broken left hand, a concussion and a broken cheekbone, among other injuries, Marilyn Vincent said Wednesday.

“We know he’s going to need some surgery, but we think of him as Humpty Dumpty,” she said. “He’s broken, but we’re going to put him back together.”

The accident occurred at the start of a daylong motorcycle ride in the Smoky Mountains, Mrs. Vincent said. Her husband, a real estate developer and former politician, was thrown from his bike and rolled down an embankment when his rear tire slid on gravel, she said.

Mr. Vincent was riding near the Nantahala River between Murphy and Bryson City, N.C., with one of his sons and two cousins, she said.

He first was taken to a small hospital near the accident site and then taken by ambulance to Erlanger hospital.

Her husband was wearing his helmet at the time of the crash, she said.

Law enforcement officials in Bryson City said there was a report on a motorcycle accident in the area Tuesday but gave no more details, saying the final incident report had not been turned in.

Mrs. Vincent said family members were gathered at the hospital Wednesday afternoon and calls from friends had flooded in.

“Jim loves Hamilton County, and he appreciates all the support from everyone,” Mrs. Vincent said. “We’re so appreciative of everyone’s concern.”

His accident falls in the middle of a busy motorcycle accident season, state officials say. There have been six fatal motorcycle crashes in Chattanooga this year, records show.

While Mr. Vincent’s crash was in North Carolina, in Tennessee there have been 97 fatal motorcycle crashes since the first of the year, records show.

Comments