A 28-year-old motorcyclist from Murfreesboro was killed Wednesday after colliding with a pickup truck on Old Hickory Boulevard in Nashville, according to police. The crash happened about 1:30 p.m., and the rider was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.
How the crash unfolded
Witnesses told investigators the rider steered onto the sidewalk to go around traffic, then crossed three lanes of oncoming traffic before returning to the westbound lanes of Old Hickory Boulevard. As he re-entered traffic, he struck the rear of a pickup truck that was stopped at a traffic light, according to WSMV.
Old Hickory's safety record
Old Hickory Boulevard has been the scene of multiple serious crashes and is part of Metro Nashville’s High Injury Network, the city reports. The Vision Zero Action Plan outlines engineering changes, enforcement efforts, and data-driven strategies Nashville is using to reduce deaths and severe injuries on corridors like Old Hickory, according to Nashville's Vision Zero Action Plan.
What police said
According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, the 28-year-old rider was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Officers said the driver of the pickup truck was not injured and showed no signs of impairment, WSMV reported. MNPD’s crash unit is investigating and has not released additional information.
Investigation continues
Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has video of the incident to contact the Metro Nashville Police Department’s traffic unit. The city’s Vision Zero program notes that community reports and crash data help determine where to prioritize safety projects on high-crash streets. The Vision Zero Action Plan details both short-term projects and long-term steps Nashville plans to take to improve safety for people walking, biking, and driving, according to Nashville's Vision Zero Action Plan.
