NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) —
UPDATE: Sept. 17, 2026, 9 a.m.
WATCH BELOW: Semi crashes into Aldi in East Nashville
Police say the driver of the semi-truck intentionally drove into the East Nashville Aldi early Thursday morning.
According to an arrest affidavit, 34-year-old Kristofer Scruggs admitted to officers that he intentionally drove the truck and trailer into the store. Officers said they observed no signs of impairment, and Scruggs denied having suicidal or homicidal thoughts.
Police estimate damage to the truck, trailer, store, aisles and merchandise is more than $250,000. Scruggs was arrested and charged with felony vandalism involving more than $250,000 in damage.
____________________
Earlier Today
A semi-truck crashed through the entrance of an Aldi grocery store along Gallatin Avenue in East Nashville just after midnight Thursday morning.
The 18-wheeler's cab detached from the trailer and continued into the store.
Aerial video from Sky 5 at 6 a.m. showed the trailer was lodged into the doorway of the store after hitting the store awning.
Metro Police said the driver, who stayed at the scene, was taken into custody after he was evaluated for injuries. Officials have not said what caused the driver to crash into the building.
Police said the store was closed at the time of the crash, and no employees were inside.
Crews were busy Thursday morning unloading items from the trailer as they prepared to remove it from the store.
It's unclear when the store may reopen to customers.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at Megan.Scarano@NewsChannel5.com
September 11, 2001 is a day most associate with terror and tragedy. Austin Pollack shares a story from that day about hope and persistence: the effort to save a little girl’s life – with an organ donation. The problem? The young patient was in Houston, and her life-saving liver here in Nashville. With the grounding of all civilian aircraft, how could it be done? “Nobody ever said this isn’t possible.”
- Rhori Johnston
