NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — For weeks now it's been a disturbing site in downtown Nashville. A man walking around with a horrible head wound.
Photos of Jonathan Johnson, 39, went viral with people wondering how this could have happened? But one woman saw the photos and decided to take action, picking him up and taking him to get medical attention.
She also called me, and I got to see the situation firsthand and the pictures do not mislead. The wound is graphic.
"It's not that I don't want help. I do want help," Johnson told me. "Very few people has [sic] tried to help me."
The good Samaritan -- who wishes to remain anonymous -- heard about Johnson. She found him downtown, called this reporter and then we took him to the hospital.
Johnson says he was hit by a car seven years ago and a plate was put in his head. He recently had a complication where the plate was removed.
Johnson then -- without really explaining -- said he walked out before it could be replaced.
Doctors at Summit, which is not where Johnson had any of the plate surgeries, cleaned the wound and released Johnson. The next step is closing the wound.
"If I got to do another surgery to get the metal plate put back in so the skin can grow over it I'd be glad to," he added.
For now Johnson is stable and arrangements have been to move into a group home for now. Johnson is homeless with no family nearby.
Since learning of Johnson's situation, many have reached out offering to help. But money is needed to cover cost of food at the group home. You can contact councilman Jordan Huffman at Jordan.Huffman@nashville.gov to make a donation.
We'll continue to bring you updates to his story.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at nick.beres@newschannel5.com
It's truly the small things that add up to a great day - and Warrick in Lebanon is having a big impact. His familiar face is becoming a staple in one part of the community and inspiring closer connection in the simplest way. Enjoy his warm personality! You may even feel inclined to wave to a stranger today, too.
-Rebecca Schleicher
