Local
Police say radio distraction preceded downtown Nashville pedal-tavern crash
Ten people were taken to hospitals after a Toyota RAV4 struck a pedal tavern on Demonbreun Street Thursday night. Six remained hospitalized Friday morning, and police said they will consult prosecutors after reviewing video and completing their investigation.
Ten people were transported to hospitals after a Toyota RAV4 rear-ended a pedal tavern near 1033 Demonbreun Street in downtown Nashville at about 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Metro Nashville police said.
The tavern was carrying 13 people, according to police. Six patients were still hospitalized at Vanderbilt University Medical Center Friday morning, and all were considered stable. One person who had been in critical condition overnight had improved, police said. Other patients were taken to Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown, TriStar Centennial Medical Center and TriStar Skyline Medical Center.
The RAV4 driver told officers he was distracted by the vehicle’s radio when he hit the tavern, police said. Investigators plan to review video from the pedal tavern and consult the district attorney’s office about possible charges.
Those injured ranged in age from 40 to 67 and came from several places, including Illinois, Missouri, Louisiana and India, police said. The RAV4 driver and the pedal tavern were not injured.
Mayor Freddie O’Connell said Friday that the injured people appeared to be stable and that the crash would prompt further discussion about safety for pedal taverns. The city is working to make streets downtown and across Nashville safer, he said.
The owners of Nashville Pedal Tavern said they were cooperating with the police investigation and expressed concern for their guests, employee and their families.
Police initially reported nine hospitalizations, then revised the count to 10 as details emerged. The investigation was continuing Friday.