A year after a deadly hit-and-run in North Nashville, the family of 39-year-old Robert Jones is still begging for answers and watching the same gut-wrenching clip of his final moments. Dashcam video shows a black Nissan Murano hitting Jones as he crossed West Trinity Lane in April 2025, then speeding away without stopping. Relatives say no one has been arrested, and a $20,000 reward is still up for grabs as investigators keep searching for the SUV.
Jones’ mother, Cynthia Batts, and his sister, Dr. Quneasha Batts, told FOX 17 their grief has not eased and that they are desperate for accountability. "I miss my son, that's all. I miss him so much," Cynthia Batts told the station. FOX 17 notes the family’s renewed call comes as fatal hit-and-runs have again grabbed attention in Nashville after an Easter-weekend crash that killed two pedestrians.
Police Release Photos and Appeal for Tips
Metro Nashville Police have released photos of the suspect vehicle and are asking the public to keep an eye out for a black Nissan Murano with front-end damage, according to WSMV. Investigators say the crash happened on West Trinity Lane near the I-65 North exit ramp and that a dashcam from another vehicle recorded the impact. Officials are urging anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.
Lawmakers Push Tougher Penalties
At the State Capitol, lawmakers are moving forward with bills that would stiffen penalties for drivers who flee crash scenes. One proposal, SB 1602 (crossfiled as HB 1967), would upgrade leaving the scene of a crash that causes injury from a misdemeanor to a Class E felony and increase certain fatal cases to a Class D felony, according to the Tennessee General Assembly. A related measure, HB 1819 (crossfiled as SB 1678), would make failing to stop after a crash that results in death a Class E felony with a mandatory minimum one-year confinement and a $10,000 fine, per the Tennessee General Assembly.
What Those Changes Would Mean
Reclassifying the offense would move it into sentencing ranges that carry significantly longer potential prison terms: a Class E felony is punishable by one to six years, while a Class D felony carries two to 12 years under Tennessee sentencing law, according to state code summaries. Supporters say the tougher classification would give prosecutors more leverage and might discourage drivers from running from deadly scenes, while critics point to higher prison costs and other fallout.
Despite the dashcam footage and publicly released photos, FOX 17 reports there have still been no arrests. The Jones family has posted a $20,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and says renewed media attention, along with the push for tougher penalties, has helped keep the case in the public eye while investigators continue combing through surveillance footage and witness tips.
Anyone with video, photos, or information is asked to contact Metro Nashville Police or Crime Stoppers. Callers can remain anonymous, and the tip line is 615-742-7463, WSMV notes. Authorities say even small clues, like a dented Murano, noticeable front-end damage, or dashcam clips from around the I-65 exit ramp, could be the detail that finally breaks the case.
