NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A 58-year-old man from Australia died and three other pedestrians were injured after police say an 87-year-old driver ran a red light and struck them in a downtown Nashville crosswalk Saturday afternoon.
Metro Nashville Police said Monday that two of the surviving pedestrians remain hospitalized in critical condition, while the third was discharged Sunday.
The crash happened shortly after 12:30 p.m. at Fourth Avenue and Broadway.
Police said the pedestrians were lawfully crossing Fourth Avenue with an active walk signal when a 2013 white Ford Fusion traveling south ran the red light and struck at least four people. The crash was captured by cameras at the intersection.
Watch: MNPD holds briefing on deadly Broadway pedestrian crash
All four pedestrians were taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Timothy Wedlock, 58, of Australia, died shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Police identified the surviving pedestrians Monday as Matthew Gregg, 44, of Jacksonville, Florida; Dianne Cooper, 58, of Parsons, Tennessee; and Kathleen Broderick, 21, of Knoxville.
Gregg and Cooper remained hospitalized in critical condition Monday afternoon. Broderick was discharged from the hospital Sunday.
The driver, Thomas Cahill, 87, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, remained hospitalized in stable condition Monday. Police said officers had not yet been able to speak with him but hoped to do so soon.
Cahill’s 90-year-old wife was sitting in the front passenger seat and was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Her caregiver, who was sitting in the back seat, was not injured.
Police said Monday that the caregiver told investigators she was looking down at her phone when the collision occurred.
Investigators are still working to determine why Cahill ran the red light and entered the crosswalk. No potential charges have been announced.
Mayor Freddie O’Connell released the following statement:
"This is an incredibly tragic event, and my heart goes out to the victims and their families impacted by this horrible moment.
Our first responders and local medical professionals are working to aid the people injured, and crews are on the scene now to investigate exactly what occurred and how. Right now, it’s unclear why the 87-year old driver failed to stop for the pedestrians in the crosswalk.
Our main goals now are to take care of the victims and to keep everyone else safe."
The Metro Nashville Police Department’s Traffic Division is continuing to investigate the crash.
Kelsey Gibbs brings us a powerful story of humanity, compassion, and love in action while showing us the hard and lifesaving work our officers do daily. Nashville is lucky to have people like Lt. Hotz wearing the badge.
- Carrie Sharp
