MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS News) - A Murfreesboro man has begun a long road to recovery after being struck by a car earlier this month. Police report that 40-year-old Kermit Peebles was riding his e-bike in the bike lane along Thompson Lane when a motorist turned into his path on September 1... That was Public Safety Director Larry Flowers with the Murfreesboro Police Department. An e-bike, or electric bicycle, can be pedaled like a traditional bike but is also equipped with a rechargeable motor that provides additional power to the rider.

Peebles was riding to work when he was hit. He had been a full-time employee for about one week and was just a few turns away from arriving early that morning. But September 1 represented something much bigger than simply another day on the job. Peebles had been working hard to build a new future for himself, both personally and professionally.

At the time of the collision, Peebles was only 21 days away from reaching one full year of sobriety. He had already made it through 344 mornings of waking up clean - 344 new beginnings, each requiring a decision to keep moving forward. Those days represented more than a number on a calendar; they were individual victories, earned one sunrise at a time. And on September 1, as Peebles pedaled toward a job he had worked months to earn, he was also moving toward a milestone that had taken nearly a year of determination to reach.

In a matter of seconds, his morning commute turned into a medical emergency, he went from riding a bike to being rushed to the hospital, where the extent of his injuries quickly became clear. His left Achilles tendon was severely lacerated and required emergency surgery. He also suffered a compound fracture of the tibial shaft in his right leg, meaning the shin bone was broken and had protruded through the skin. Multiple procedures were required to repair the damage, and Peebles was told he could not put weight on either leg as his body began the lengthy healing process.

As he came to terms with the severity of his injuries, another concern emerged. Police reported that one of the citations involving the motorist was for “Failure to show proof of insurance.” Authorities also told WGNS that the woman was not legally supposed to be behind the wheel when the collision occurred...

The timing of the crash makes Peebles' story even more difficult. Long before that Tuesday morning, he had been putting in the work to change the direction of his life. In addition to maintaining his sobriety, Peebles spent approximately 26 weeks proving himself on the job before being hired full time by ADS Environmental, the company he was riding his bike to when he was struck.

Between his temporary employment and the permanent position he had recently earned, Peebles had worked long enough to obtain health insurance. However, he had not been a full-time employee long enough to complete the company's required 90-day waiting period for short-term disability benefits. Doctors have indicated that the recovery from his injuries could take months - potentially twice as long as the waiting period he needed to complete before becoming eligible for those benefits.

That leaves Peebles facing another challenge. Although he may not qualify for disability payments while he is unable to work, he said his medical insurance can continue as long as he keeps paying the monthly premiums. Meanwhile, the everyday expenses of life have not stopped. There is still a roof to keep over his head, food to put in the refrigerator and other bills to pay, all while he focuses on recovering from serious injuries to both legs.

Yet, the collision has not changed the determination that helped Peebles reach the point he was at before September 1. Instead of viewing the crash as something that will erase his progress, he is trying to approach it as another challenge to overcome.

Peebles wrote, “I’m trying to look at this as another obstacle I have to overcome, rather than the end of the progress I’ve made. Recovery and my relationship with God has taught me that I can’t control everything that happens to me, but I can control what I do, with what happens.”

For Peebles, those words carry a very literal meaning. He remains focused on healing, maintaining his sobriety and eventually getting back on his feet.

Family and friends have established a GoFundMe "fundraiser" to help Peebles cover his expenses while he is unable to work. The page can be found at the following link: https://gofund.me/223d259c2 Scroll down for more photos. 

His story also serves as a reminder of how quickly a routine drive or bicycle ride can change someone's life. Murfreesboro Police Captain Clayton Williams is asking motorists to remain alert and watch carefully for bicyclists and e-bike riders sharing local roadways... As e-bikes continue to grow in popularity, drivers can expect to encounter more riders on area streets, greenways and in designated bike lanes.

Police officers, firefighters and paramedics are trained to respond quickly when serious crashes occur, but preventing those collisions remains far better than responding to the aftermath. Behind every bicycle is a person with somewhere to go - - perhaps heading to work, going home or simply trying to move forward with life. No first responder, family member or friend wants to see that trip end with someone seriously injured...

GoFundMe: To learn more about Peebles journey, or to help him continue the progress he has made, despite the obstacle he's encountered, visit https://gofund.me/223d259c2.