Local
Ten hospitalized after car strikes Nashville Pedal Tavern on Demonbreun Street
A driver told police he was distracted by his radio before rear-ending a Pedal Tavern carrying 13 people, according to police. Joanna Reileah, who suffered a broken back and nose, says she faces a long recovery and is grateful to those who helped her.
A driver who told police he was distracted by his radio rear-ended a Pedal Tavern on Demonbreun Street in downtown Nashville, sending 10 people to the hospital, police said. The tavern was carrying 13 people at the time of the Thursday-night crash.
Among those injured was Nashville resident Joanna Reileah, who said she suffered a broken back, a broken nose and other injuries. She said she has a long recovery ahead and thanked a bystander who stopped to help, first responders and officers, and staff at Vanderbilt for their care.
In a 911 call, the driver said he had hit a Pedal Tavern and identified his vehicle as a Toyota RAV4. Police have not announced charges.
The crash has renewed questions about safety in a busy downtown tourism district. Mayor Freddie O’Connell said the city continues to look for ways to make downtown streets safer, while noting that distracted driving is difficult to address through regulation alone and also requires public awareness.
O’Connell said he was relieved that the people hurt appeared to be stable and were expected to survive. For Reileah, recovery is still underway. She is accepting donations to help with her healing, according to the report.