A 24-year-old man has been charged with vehicular homicide following a devastating July 4 car crash on I-40 East near the White Bridge Road exit. The incident claimed the life of 29-year-old Jacabo Hernandez and injured several others, including an 18-month-old boy. According to Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, the accused, Jalen Mahone, was driving a Dodge Ram pickup truck which struck Hernandez's Honda CRV after it had hit the median wall and come to a halt in a lane.
The report from the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department states, Hernandez was driving eastbound when he lost control of his vehicle amid heavy rainfall, leading to the fatal collision. Mahone’s truck was reportedly traveling at 75 miles per hour, 20 miles over the designated speed limit for that segment of the interstate, seconds before the impact. Despite the severe nature of the incident, Mahone was able to secure his release on a $10,000 bond.
As a result of the crash, Hernandez succumbed to his injuries at the scene while his two passengers, suffered non-critical injuries. The passengers in Mahone's vehicle were also reported to have sustained non-critical injuries in the ordeal. The charge of vehicular homicide by recklessness carries serious implications, emphasizing the responsibility of drivers to maintain safe speeds, particularly under adverse weather conditions.
