6 deadly crashes in 8 days in Middle TN amid statewide decline

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Six people have died in separate traffic crashes across Middle Tennessee over an eight-day span, even as new state data has shown fatal crashes are down compared to recent years. The deadly crashes occurred from April 5 through April 12 and spanned Davidson, Robertson and Cheatham counties. According to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), the most recent fatal crash happened Sunday evening on Highway 70 South near Beverly Hills Drive, where 59-year-old David Elliott of Cunningham was killed in a three-vehicle collision. Investigators said a white Ford F-150 veered off the road, overcorrected and caused a broadside crash with Elliott’s blue Ford F-150. A Dodge Ram then struck the rear of the white pickup. Two passengers in Elliott’s vehicle were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the white F-150 was also hospitalized with critical injuries. Charges are expected. In another fatal crash Friday afternoon, MNPD said 59-year-old Randall Abernathy Sr. of Nashville was killed when his motorcycle collided with a Ford Escape at the intersection of Bell Road and Nashboro Boulevard. Police said the driver of the SUV was turning onto Bell Road from a stop sign and struck the motorcycle. Investigators said it remains unclear which vehicle had the right of way, and no signs of impairment were found. Earlier that morning, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) investigated a fatal crash on Interstate 24 in Robertson County. Troopers said a Ford Escape driven by 47-year-old Devain Peterson of Tennessee left the road, re-entered traffic, crossed all lanes, then left the road again and became airborne before striking a tree. Peterson died at the scene. On April 9, a 20-year-old motorcyclist, Reagan Osborne, was killed in Cheatham County after colliding with a tractor-trailer on I-24 West near mile marker 31, THP said. The motorcycle then slid into the left lane and caught fire. The truck driver was not hurt. On April 6, MNPD said 47-year-old Leeann Julian of Goodlettsville died after a multi-vehicle crash on Whites Creek Pike at Free Silver Road. Police said a Chevrolet Malibu struck a vehicle stopped in a construction zone at a high rate of speed, causing a chain-reaction crash that killed Julian. Charges are expected. On April 5, MNPD said 17-year-old Jaylen Breveard of Nashville was killed in a single-vehicle crash on Dickerson Pike. Investigators said his Tesla Model 3 crossed all lanes of traffic, struck a concrete pole and overturned. He was wearing a seatbelt, and no signs of impairment were found. While the recent string of deadly crashes has drawn attention, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security reports overall traffic fatalities are lower year-to-date compared to recent years. The state recorded 229 deadly crashes through April 13, 2026, compared to 276 during the same period in 2024 and 278 in 2025. State data also has shown older drivers account for the largest share of fatalities so far this year, followed by speeding-related crashes, teen drivers and distracted driving.