A Monday evening walk across Ewing Drive turned tragic when a pickup struck a pedestrian who later died, and now Metro police say the driver is looking at upgraded charges. Clifford Coleman, 68, was crossing Ewing Drive near Brick Church Pike just after 6 p.m. when he was hit. He was taken to Skyline Medical Center, where he died overnight. The driver, 66-year-old Beverly Jackson, was later found at a home on Vista Lane and admitted she was behind the wheel, according to officials.
According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, the crash happened around 6:10 p.m. and was initially treated as a hit-and-run after the pickup left the scene. A witness followed the truck to a residence on Vista Lane and called it in, and officers then located both the vehicle and Jackson.
WKRN News 2 reports that the pickup involved was a Dodge Dakota and that Jackson received state citations Monday night for leaving the scene and failing to file a report. WKRN also noted that Coleman was taken to Skyline Medical Center following the collision and died later that night.
Charges and Legal Next Steps
As reported by WKRN News 2, Jackson was initially cited for leaving the scene of a crash and failing to file an accident report. According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, those citations will be upgraded now that Coleman has died. MNPD's Hit and Run Unit is leading the investigation, which remains active as detectives sort through evidence and witness statements.
Crash Location and Ongoing Safety Concerns
The collision happened along a busy stretch of north Nashville, where pedestrians, bus riders, and drivers all jockey for space on busy roads. A serious bus-pedestrian crash near Ewing Drive last October highlighted long-running worries about crosswalks, street lighting, and traffic enforcement in the area. City officials and traffic-safety advocates have been pushing for targeted fixes on major arterial streets like this one to lower the risk for people on foot.
Police are asking anyone who may have seen the crash or has additional information to contact Metro Nashville police through the department's tip line or by calling 615-862-8600. MNPD says it will share further updates as the investigation continues and prosecutors decide on formal charges.
