A woman from Murfreesboro has lost her life in a multi-vehicle incident on I-24 East near the Bell Road exit in Nashville. The crash occurred early Sunday morning, around 4 a.m., and involved four vehicles, according to details released by the Metro Nashville Police Department. John Baudendistel, 28, was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide by intoxication following the deadly chain-reaction.
Initial reports by the WSMV indicated that the first collision was between a 2015 Subaru Crosstrek and a 2003 Honda Accord. Following this, a Nissan Rogue driven by Baudendistel struck a Nissan Sentra, resulting in a fatality. The drivers of the Subaru and Honda fled the scene on foot, leaving behind evidence of alcohol use. The Sentinel's driver, a 51-year-old woman from Murfreesboro, was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center but succumbed to her injuries.
Police officers at the scene noted symptoms of impairment in Baudendistel, including "glossy" and "red" eyes as well as slurred speech, according to Fox17. An open alcoholic beverage was also found in the center console of his car, and Baudendistel admitted to drinking prior to the accident. He submitted to a blood draw after showing signs of impairment during field sobriety tasks.
Baudendistel was subsequently booked and made free on a $25,000 bond. The exact sequence of events that led to the collisions is still under investigation. The Metro Nashville Police Department has not yet released the name of the deceased as they work to notify her family. In a statement obtained by WGNS Radio, they urged the public to provide any information regarding the two drivers who fled the accident scene. Anyone who has information about the hit-and-run drivers is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463, where callers can remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
