A pre-dawn drive on Buena Vista Pike ended in tragedy Tuesday when a 43-year-old man was killed, and an 18-year-old was hospitalized after a head-on crash, according to Metro Nashville Police. Investigators say the eastbound vehicle failed to make it through a curve, crossed into oncoming traffic, and slammed into a westbound car at about 6 a.m. The teen was treated at a hospital for what police described as minor injuries, while the older driver later died. Authorities have so far released only limited information as they work the scene.
What the police say
According to WSMV, Metro Nashville Police identified the man who died as 43-year-old Robert Johnston, who was driving a Honda Accord. Preliminary findings indicate the Accord failed to negotiate a curve and crossed into the westbound lanes before crashing into a Dodge Charger. Both drivers were taken to a local hospital, and the 18-year-old in the Charger was treated for minor injuries.
Where it happened
The collision was reported in the 2400 block of Buena Vista Pike around 6 a.m., and both drivers were transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, according to AOL. Officials did not immediately provide additional context about what may have led up to the crash.
Investigation and next steps
Police say the Medical Examiner's Office "will perform toxicology testing to determine if impairment was a factor in this fatal crash," and investigators are also looking at whether road conditions or other elements played a role, per WSMV. No charges or citations had been announced in the early stages of the investigation.
