Pedestrian Killed in Donelson Hit and Run Accident
Hit and run accidents have become all-too-common in Nashville. On a Sunday night late last month, three co-workers from India who had traveled to the United States to attend an employer-sponsored training program were walking along Elm Hill Pike in Donelson when they were struck by a red Ford pickup truck.
One of the two individuals suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to TriStar Skyline Medical Center, but the other, a 40-year-old man, died at the scene.
According to a witness, the pickup truck, driven by a 45-year-old male, had come to a stop where a lane was blocked due to construction. Then, he allegedly accelerated rapidly, caused the accident and sped away from the scene.
NewsChannel5 reported that the driver later “said he thought he hit a construction barrel, but that when he arrived at his apartment, it was clear he had struck a person.”
Per Nashville police, the driver was subsequently charged with vehicular homicide by intoxication (as he was allegedly impaired by marijuana), and also charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving death.
Car Accidents With Pedestrians Are Often Deadly
As I noted on our pedestrian accidents page, when a pedestrian is struck by an automobile, the victim often suffers life-altering injuries or dies. As a result, it’s often a challenge for the victim to identify who injured them. They rely on witnesses.
What to Report if You Witness a Pedestrian Accident:
- Recall the license plate number of the vehicle in question
- Identify the type of vehicle, its color, and any distinguishing characteristics
- Offer a visual description of the driver and/or passengers
- Offer details about the environment in the area of the accident
In the above-discussed case, it appears witnesses were able to provide police with an account of what happened, but it might have been a challenge for officers to identify the driver had he not surrendered at the South Precinct later that same evening.
This illustrates why it’s vital for you to make sure you are insured, as hit-and-run accident victims often end up responsible for their own medical bills, as was the case for a bicyclist who was T-boned near Centennial Park earlier this year.
Also, if you’re walking on Nashville roads, make every effort to use crosswalks and sidewalks. If you are walking after dark, avoid wearing dark clothing and stay in well-lit areas wherever possible.
If You Are the Victim of a Hit-and-Run in Nashville…
Know that Nashville police do an excellent job of investigating hit-and-run crashes. For example, officers assigned to Davidson County’s Hit and Run Unit are highly trained in traffic accident reconstruction and experienced at investigating extremely complex cases.
If you do have the misfortune of being a hit-and-run victim, though, make sure you wait for police to arrive at the scene and file a police report. The police report will include details like:
- Date
- Time
- Location
- Any information about the vehicle and its driver or passengers that you (or witnesses) can provide
Also, make sure to get the contact information of any witnesses.
Then, consult with a personal injury attorney, as you may be entitled to pursue compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Living expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Burial expenses for a loved one (if the accident was fatal)
I encourage you to read Hit and Run Accidents are on the Rise, even in Nashville, in which I offer additional tips on how to avoid becoming a victim, as well as further information about what you should do in the event of a hit-and-run. I would also invite you to read our page about car accidents in Nashville for more information on the topic.
Last but not least, if you or a family member has been injured or killed in a hit-and-run accident in Nashville or elsewhere in Middle Tennessee, contact me and I will get you justice.