A high-speed collision at one of South Nashville's busiest intersections left a driver dead Monday evening, and police say the other motorist has now been charged in the case.
Officers responded just after 6:30 p.m. to the intersection of Murfreesboro Pike and Faircloth Lane, where, according to investigators, a Lexus turning onto Murfreesboro Pike was struck by a Tesla. The impact spun the Lexus across the intersection, and its driver was ejected and later died at a hospital. Police said the victim was not wearing a seatbelt.
The Tesla's driver, identified in an affidavit as Ali Al-Attabi of Nashville, was arrested Monday and charged with vehicular homicide and reckless conduct. His bond was set at $75,000, according to Fox 17.
Police Account And Driver's Statement
Investigators say officers read Al-Attabi his Miranda rights at the scene before questioning him about what led up to the crash.
According to the affidavit, Al-Attabi told police he believed he was driving about 70 mph in a posted 45 mph zone as he tried to catch up with another vehicle he said had cut him off. He said he did not see the Lexus until it was too late to avoid the collision and that his speed made stopping impossible.
Metro Nashville Police recorded the conversation on body cameras, and the footage was saved to department servers, the affidavit states. Investigators say they will compare the recorded interview with physical evidence from the scene and any available surveillance video as they continue their probe into the fatal wreck.
Charges And Legal Exposure
Al-Attabi is formally charged with vehicular homicide and reckless conduct, and his bond is set at $75,000, per Fox 17.
Under Tennessee law, vehicular homicide is defined as "the reckless killing of another by the operation of a motor vehicle," according to the Tennessee Code. Convictions tied to reckless conduct are commonly prosecuted as Class C felonies, carrying significant potential prison time.
Any final outcome in the case will depend on what the investigation turns up, including evidence of speed, witness statements and any toxicology results.
Murfreesboro Pike Safety Concerns
The deadly crash adds to longstanding safety concerns on Murfreesboro Pike, a busy South Nashville corridor that city and transit officials have been targeting for bus lanes and signal upgrades to ease traffic and reduce congestion.
Investigators also noted that the victim was unbelted, a factor they will weigh as they reconstruct the collision. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has long reported that seat belts greatly reduce the risk of ejection and fatal injury in crashes.
Metro Nashville police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who has video from the area around Murfreesboro Pike and Faircloth Lane at the time of the collision to contact investigators as they work to piece together exactly what happened.
