Surviving a hit and run rollover accident

Above Photo: Hear the story of Maria Steinhauer and how she is fortunate to have survived a hit and run accident involving the same suspect in a Murfreesboro case where a man allegedly tried the gouge the eyes of a male nurse out: You can read more about the story below.

The 36 year old Memphis, Tennessee man arrested in Murfreesboro after allegedly trying to gouge the eyes of a nurse out at Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital is also facing charges elsewhere.

The suspect is said to have entered the local hospital heading into the trauma unit. The nurse tried to stop him, which is when the scuffle began.

It evidently took multiple staff members to pull Santhanou Xayadeth off of a male nurse at Saint Thomas when he reportedly punched, bit and choked the victim until he was unconscious. Witnesses say that before he was finally pulled off the nurse, he reportedly tried to gouge the nurses eyes out with his thumbs.

While the victim survived the attack, he had to be admitted as a patient to the hospital that he works in after regaining consciousness.

Prior to the situation unfolding in Murfreesboro, the same suspect allegedly caused a roll-over accident on I-65 in Franklin, Tennessee the night prior (1/15/18).

Accident victim Maria Steinhauer talks about the crash that she survived...

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When her car came to a rest on the roof, Steinhauer found herself hanging upside down. Several bystanders stopped to help.

The accident caused a small fracture in her lower back and doctors told her she was lucky to be alive.

The vehicle that Xayadeth was allegedly driving when the hit and run accident occurred was later located in Marshall County, Tennessee. The following evening he was arrested at Saint Thomas Rutherford in Murfreesboro after trying to make his way into the trauma unit for unknown reasons.

In Murfreesboro, Xayadeth faces a charge of “Aggravated Assault.” He is scheduled to appear in court on February 27, 2018 at 8 AM.

Franklin Police obtained warrants, charging Xayadeth with Reckless Endangerment, Leaving the Scene of a Crash, Failure to Report a Crash, and Driving on a Suspended License – 2nd Offense. Franklin authorities also report that the suspect is a convicted felon with a violent past.

More Information:

Xayadeth, who is a native of Laos, told police he works at a nail salon on Poplar Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee. The subject also told police that while he last lived In Memphis, TN he is actually homeless.

Hands of the Violent Man

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This photo is the most recent in the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center “Hand Project.” The goal is to show the wicked face of domestic violence without actually showing the face of those who suffered.

This woman, who is 53 today, talked about her ex and the violence and torment he caused in a way that would make one vomit. At one point, he broke her ankle so that she could not run from him. When her left ankle finally healed, he broke her right ankle.

To hear a short clip of her story, listen to the audio below: 

“In situations of captivity the perpetrator becomes the most powerful person in the life of the victim, and the psychology of the victim is shaped by the actions and beliefs of the perpetrator.”

— Judith Lewis Herman, "Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence"

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The phone call confirming Stage IV Cancer

Imagine contracting Lime Disease upon your move to Tennessee… possibly from a tick bite. Then, after battling that for a full year imagine a diagnosis of breast cancer that spreads to the bones in your back, your pelvis and even your ribs. That is the life that Cathy Hoag in Murfreesboro has experienced in recent months.

Cathy, who lives in the Barfield area, was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer this past August.

Looking back, after noticing something was not quite right with her breast, she made an appointment with her doctor. The test results of a mammogram appeared normal, but more questions needed to be answered due to the extremely dense tissue that did not allow for a proper diagnosis. So, more testing followed which ended in a single phone call on a sunny afternoon.

It was a call that no one wants. Cathy, a wife, a stay at home mom of two boys ages 7 and 10, plus a home school teacher – heard the phone ring. She answered it and soon found herself in tears while closing the door of her bedroom. Her doctor informed her that she did indeed have cancer. It was soon revealed that the cancer had spread from her breast to her bones and it was given the title of “Stage IV.”

Prior to the diagnosis, Cathy had mammograms annually. But, the start date of the cancer was not fully established. Regardless of when it formed, she is moving forward with treatment at the Cancer Centers of America in Georgia.

A short 12 minute audio interview with Cathy is below:

"Remember how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. You may not be where you want to be, but neither are you where you used to be." -Stuart Scott

The GoFundMe page for Cathy is HERE.

These Hands and me

The above photo and below description is part of the Rutherford County Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center “These Hands - Hope and Healing," photographic journal project that showcases domestic violence and sexual assault survivors.

These Hands

"I am a survivor of domestic violence and child sexual abuse. This year I used these hands to write A Call for Help and I’m So Sorry."

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Call for Help

"We were battered and abused
because my mother believed my father when he said,
I'm so sorry.

In 1920
when my mother was six
my grandmother
believed it, too.

In 1955
when I was six
my mother stopped
believing it.

Her willingness
}to Call for Help
destroyed the curses
of alcoholism and violence
and restored the blessings
of sobriety and peace."

- - -
I'm So Sorry

"Love indifference
Contempt regret

Where shame and guilt
Is what you get

Of all the lies
It’s a safe bet
I'm so sorry’s
The biggest yet"

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About The Photo:

"By 1957 my mom and I were out of his reach and safe and sound. I was in the Cub Scouts when I made the plaster imprint of my hand. I gave it to my mom for her Mother’s Day gift. She loved it. It was a good day." - John Schmueser ©2017

She can now run free

Hands of a Domestic Violence survivor. She wrote:

“My children saw them first. "How did you get those bruises, Mom?" I looked in the mirror and saw the ring of dark splotches around my upper arms, fingerprints from where he'd grabbed and shaken me the night before. But, he didn't hit me.

My head was often tender from being banged against a wall.

My hip sported a large bruise and it hurt to walk after he shoved me hard to the ground.

My back bled from a cut I received during a struggle. But, I told myself, it was just a small cut.

During sex, he choked me and made me do things I was ashamed of. I was scared; I fought him; it did not matter; he did not stop.

But he wasn't violent, right? He didn't hit me.

My husband's rages occurred multiple times a week, sometimes during the day, usually at night, and lasted for hours. His nose would touch mine as he screamed profanities in my face. He threw things, punched walls, and spit on me. These were his favorite things to say: I was worthless garbage, a whore, a waste, a piece of trash, so terrible in bed that no man would ever want to touch me, a c-nt. My husband told me that I was such a nightmare he'd have to kill himself to get away from me. Then, as I began to grow depressed, he worked on convincing me I needed to kill my own self. I will never forget the first time he looked me straight in the eye and very calmly and matter-of-factly stated, "Why are you still breathing? You're nothing but trash. You should be dead. You need to go kill yourself." As this went on, I began to believe him until it became absolute truth in my mind. I should be dead.

In a 2-3 year period, I went from being happy and healthy to suicidal and extremely ill. I rarely slept, vomited up most of my meals, lost weight, and had no strength. I was forced into a medical leave from work, and my doctor banned me from any form of exercise as my body needed every bit of energy to keep alive. I had been a runner, a dancer, an outdoor enthusiast. I was now a shell, someone God never intended me to be.

I don't know that I ever would have left him on my own. I did not recognize the violence for what it was, and I was too ashamed to tell anyone what was going on. It took a gun-related incident to finally end it. I had no idea how physically and emotionally sick I had gotten until he was out of my life. The suicidal thoughts vanished. I am now sleeping, eating, and not throwing up. I've gained weight. My health is slowly coming back. Recently I was able to lace up my shoes and go running again. My kids and I have peace. I laugh, and I laugh, and I laugh. I am filled with the joy of the Lord, for I am now free!”

Before I left she told me that she spent many nights sleeping or hiding in the bushes next to the entrance of her middle class neighborhood. Other nights, she would sleep in her car while parked in a well-lit parking lot.