A crash on Murfreesboro Pike in Antioch left a pedestrian dead early Saturday, with the driver telling investigators he had “no time to react” in the heavy rain, authorities said.
The collision happened around 5 a.m. near Parks Retreat Drive during a downpour, according to investigators. The pedestrian, described only as a male, died at the scene. The driver, a 55-year-old man, stayed with officers and spoke with police. The Medical Examiner's Office is working to identify the victim.
As reported by WSMV, Metro Nashville Police said the vehicle was traveling south when the unidentified man crossed the roadway. The driver told officers the heavy rain left him unable to avoid the collision. Police said there were no signs of impairment at the scene, and detectives have opened an investigation.
Murfreesboro Pike's dangerous stretch
This section of Murfreesboro Pike has seen multiple deadly pedestrian crashes in recent years, including a January 2025 collision near Parks Retreat Drive that killed a 21-year-old. Local residents and planners have long flagged gaps in sidewalks, crosswalks, and lighting along parts of the corridor as ongoing safety concerns.
City's Vision Zero plan targets high-risk roads
Nashville's Vision Zero Action Plan identifies a “High Injury Network” and directs quick-build safety improvements such as high-visibility crosswalks, refuge islands and improved lighting at priority corridors, per Nashville.gov. Transportation officials say those short-term fixes can be deployed quickly while longer engineering projects are planned.
Investigation continues
Metro Nashville Police say the Medical Examiner is working to confirm the victim's identity, and detectives continue to process the scene. Officials have not yet released the victim's name and say they will provide updates as more information becomes available.
