The Nashville community is in search of answers following the tragic hit-and-run death of 22-year-old Austin S. David from Mt. Juliet. NewsChannel 5 reported that David's body was discovered on Interstate 40 East near the airport between the Donelson Pike and Stewarts Ferry Pike exits, with the initial indications suggesting he was walking along the interstate when first hit and subsequently run over. The incident, which prompted lane closures, is enshrouded in uncertainty as it was not clear exactly when David was struck, although officials estimate it may have been as early as 2 a.m.
Rachel Kimbrough Reed, David's mother, awoke with a premonition that something was wrong on the day her son was discovered. She reached out unsuccessfully to David, then to his roommate, who later recollected they had an altercation and he let David out on the side of I-40. The roommate also noticed damage to his truck, suspecting he had hit something, as per WSMV's interview with Reed. "Something doesn’t add up here," Reed said. "This story makes no sense at all."
David's father, Josh David, also struggles with his son's shocking death, describing him as "just the funniest, loving, caring, would give the shirt off his back to anybody." Josh last said goodbye to his son following Thanksgiving, without the faintest thought that it would be their final farewell. He relayed to WKRN News 2 that he was still in denial, especially given that Austin spent the prior week in the hospital next to his brother, who had just undergone a kidney transplant.
Nashville Metro Police have confirmed that their investigation into the deadly crash is still ongoing. They are calling on the public to aid their efforts by providing any details that could help piece together the events leading up to David's untimely death. Anyone with information can reach out to Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.
