Nashville, TN — April 4, 2025, One person was killed following a pedestrian involved car accident Friday morning on W. Trinity Ln.

An investigation is underway following a car accident that left a pedestrian dead during the morning hours of April 4th. According to official reports, a 39-year-old man was attempting to cross Trinity Lane near the ramp for I-65 when he was struck by a Nissan Murano which fled the scene.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that the pedestrian had sustained serious injuries and he was transported to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. At this time there has been no further information released from the accident, including the man's identity or in locating the Nissan driver, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a pedestrian is struck and killed by a vehicle that then leaves the scene, particularly in a busy corridor like Trinity Lane near the I-65 ramp, the investigation must be both thorough and timely. With limited details available and the driver of the Nissan Murano yet to be identified, it is critical that investigators pursue three foundational questions: (1) Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? (2) Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused or contributed to the crash? (3) Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?

In any pedestrian fatality, especially a hit-and-run, it's essential to reconstruct the scene in detail. Investigators should examine lighting conditions, crosswalk visibility, signage, and whether the area posed any visual obstructions to approaching drivers. The exact position of the pedestrian when struck must be established, as well as whether any surveillance footage or traffic cameras may have captured the vehicle before or after the impact. Time is a critical factor—vehicle evidence such as paint transfer, debris, or tread marks may degrade quickly.

Although the driver fled, the condition of the Nissan Murano must still be considered as a possible contributing factor, assuming the vehicle is located. If the vehicle experienced a lighting malfunction, brake failure, or electronic sensor issue (such as pedestrian detection systems), these defects could impair a driver's ability to respond in time. A full mechanical inspection would be necessary to determine if such a failure played a role—either in contributing to the crash or preventing an effective reaction.

Finally, once the vehicle is located, electronic control modules (ECMs) may offer essential insights. These systems can store data on vehicle speed, brake application, and throttle position in the seconds leading up to the crash. This information can help determine how the vehicle was being operated and whether it responded correctly to any input from the driver. In hit-and-run cases, this type of data becomes especially important, as it can confirm or contradict statements made after the vehicle is recovered.

Until these three areas are fully examined, the investigation remains incomplete. A comprehensive approach that includes scene analysis, vehicle inspection (when possible), and the collection of electronic data is critical—not only to identify what caused the incident but also to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to locate the responsible party and to improve pedestrian safety in similar areas moving forward.