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Cherryville, NC (WNN)- Eight months after a near-fatal motorcycle crash on Highway 27 in Mount Holly, NC, 18-year-old Gage Brown is walking, smiling, and hopes to one day ride again. Gage and his father, Jeff, conducted their first interview since the accident with our WNN team on December 16, 2025.
Gage, born and raised in Dallas, NC, and a recent East Gaston High School graduate, was riding his mother's motorcycle when he was hit by a car that failed to yield at a red light on Highway NC 27 in Mount Holly, NC. The accident occurred at approximately 6:07 p.m. on April 17, 2025. According to Jeff, the driver was charged with traffic penalties of failure to yield and causing serious injury to a motorcyclist.
The helicopter arriving on scene to take Gage to Charlotte - April 17th, 2025
Jeff Brown
The incident occurred as Gage was on his way to eat dinner with friends on a Thursday night. One of his friends told the family that Gage was on his way to 7-Eleven to get chicken wings, as that was something he was known to do.
Gage miraculously survived the crash, but the journey to recovery has been long and hard. Three ER trauma nurses who work together and were out for a girls' night out were in the second car near the intersection and were able to pull over and get to him. Jeff credits the nurses and the Mount Holly Fire Department for saving Gage's life. According to his parents, Jeff and Amy, the whole left side of his body was broken from his collarbone down to his toes. His face was also completely fractured.
The three off duty trauma nurses who helped save Gage's life - April 17th, 2025
Jeff Brown
Gage was airlifted to Atrium Charlotte and was there for a month before being moved by ambulance to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta. The family decided to transfer Gage to the Shepherd Center after the Charlotte location was going to provide a 3-week rehab and then send him home. More rehab was going to be needed.
The family learned about the Shepherd Center through contacts in the medical field. They recommended that the family call the Shepherd Center. They called to see if they could get in.
The outside of the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
Jeff Brown
The family was then informed that they would need to be placed on a waiting list, as the Shepherd Center was not taking new patients. However, the family received a call the next day to be interviewed to see if Gage could be admitted. They were told it would be 3 or 4 days before they knew if he was accepted. The morning after their interview, the family received a call that the Center would take Gage as a patient. He was admitted within a week and was there for 5 months.
Gage at the Shepherd Center with One of the center's Founders Alana Shepherd
Jeff Brown
When asked if he remembered anything from the accident, Gage said no. All he can remember is working that day, going to his grandmother's house to retrieve his grandfather's truck, which had broken down, and his grandmother bringing him home. He remembers going to 7-Eleven after that; however, that is the last he remembers before the crash occurred. His father, Jeff, told our WNN team that he was grateful Gage had no recollection of the wreck.
He started to remember being in an accident when he was taken to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
Gage's Parents, Jeff and Amy, grew up in church and went their separate ways. However, after the accident, their lives changed, leading them to become more involved in the church. Gage's father, Jeff, said this during our interview: "I think Amy said it best last Wednesday night. You hope this never happens to somebody you know, but to be able to actually watch what miracle has taken place, it opens your eyes."
Several motorcycle groups also supported Gage throughout his journey. Those include The Traveling Light Ministry, out of Catawba Heights Baptist in Belmont, as well as The Guardians of the Children, which the family describes as "God sends."
Ironically, the power pole at the scene of the accident had a sign that read "Jesus Saves." Gage now has the framed sign in his room at home. Jeff also pointed out in one of the pictures that a possible angel could be seen in the photo. Many things have fallen into place, and the event, including rehabilitation, is well-documented through pictures and video. On the power pole now, another sign reads God-Gage placed by a fellow line worker. Gage was working in the linemen field before the crash. He hopes to return and become a lineman one day.
Jeff went on to say, "He should have died on the scene; he's come a long way in a short amount of time. When asked what people could do, Jeff said, "Just pray".
Gage with some of the Guardians of the Children's Motorcycle Members
Jeff Brown
A Facebook Page called "Prayers for Gage" was set up shortly after the accident. A friend of Brown's mother asked if she could start it. The page was primarily set up for family and friends, allowing updates to be added instead of having their phones constantly ringing. However, the page has since gained widespread support and has been shared across the United States as well as in three different countries. It currently has 11.2k members.
The family plans to keep the "Prayers for Gage" page active until he has made a full recovery. After he has fully recovered, they plan to establish a foundation in his name, enabling them to give back in the same way many have helped them. Gage also has a goal of one day being able to ride on a motorcycle once again. When asked if Gage had anything else to say, he responded, "Just keep going, it's in God's time".
For those who would like to help the family cover their medical expenses, all donations can be sent via Venmo to @jbrown0617. Prayers are also much appreciated. The family is grateful for all the support they've received throughout this journey. Gage Brown is a miracle and will be here this Christmas, a true Christmas Miracle.
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