NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A man was critically injured after his arm was crushed by a street sweeper overnight in downtown Nashville.
Witnesses said they heard the man screaming around 2 a.m. Friday on 2nd Avenue North near Broadway. Police said 58-year-old Edward Batson kicked the street sweeping machine several times, and his foot somehow got stuck underneath the vehicle. He was knocked to the ground, and his arm was crushed by a wheel.
Batson was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in critical but stable condition. He underwent surgery on Friday morning.
Police said Batson is homeless and a regular at the bar scene in downtown Nashville.
The Department of Public Works said Batson had been seen kicking other trucks earlier in the evening. The driver of the truck is a 14-year veteran who is part of the overnight crew that cleans downtown. Public Works said it's possible the driver did not hear the victim when he kicked the vehicle.
The company said they are conducting an internal investigation, including a mandatory drug test.
At this point, no charges have been filed.
Police said Batson had no outstanding warrants, but has a long criminal history including 104 arrests dating back to 1994.
