Memphis police say they have tracked down the SUV believed to be tied to a fatal hit-and-run that left a pedestrian dead on May 15, 2025. Investigators located a 2005 BMW X5 in the 600 block of Breedlove, but the driver is still on the run. Anyone with information is urged to call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.
According to the Memphis Police Department, the crash happened around 10:10 p.m. on May 15, 2025, when a blue SUV moved into the left-turn lane on South Third Street near Biscayne Road and struck a man who was walking nearby. The SUV then took off, heading south on South Third before turning east on Mitchell. Investigators said the vehicle was expected to have damage to the right front, and they are now working to confirm that the recovered SUV is the one involved in the crash.
WMC Action News 5 reported that officers located a 2005 BMW X5 in the 600 block of Breedlove during the investigation and that the SUV carried a Mississippi license plate. Earlier coverage in the original police appeal for tips highlighted the department’s push in July 2025 for community help to identify the vehicle and driver.
What investigators say
Per Memphis police, the suspect vehicle is described as a blue BMW X5 from the 2000 to 2006 model years and is believed to have damage on the right front side. The victim was taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Detectives are reviewing physical evidence and pulling surveillance footage from the area, working to match the recovered BMW to the scene and, ultimately, to the person who was behind the wheel.
Legal penalties if the driver is found
State law requires drivers involved in crashes that cause injury or death to stop and provide information and aid. Leaving the scene when a death has occurred can be charged as a felony. Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-10-101 spells out those duties and potential penalties, including possible license revocation and prison time. The statute also allows for consecutive sentences if prosecutors bring vehicular homicide or assault charges in addition to a hit-and-run count, according to Justia.
Why hit-and-runs matter
Hit-and-run crashes now make up a growing share of pedestrian deaths across the country, with roughly one in four pedestrian fatalities involving a driver who flees the scene, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. Safety researchers note that nighttime crashes and collisions involving larger SUVs increase the likelihood of severe or fatal injuries, which is why investigators regularly emphasize community tips and privately recorded video as key tools for closing these cases.
How to help
Anyone who has information, dashcam footage, or doorbell video from the South Third Street, Biscayne Road, or Mitchell Road area on the night of May 15, 2025, is asked to contact CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH or reach out directly to Memphis police. As Action News 5 notes, even short clips or small details can turn into the missing piece that identifies a fleeing driver.
