Man fighting for his life after Saturday hit-and-run; MNPD releases video of suspected car involved

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The search continues for the driver of a red Jeep that police believe was involved in a serious pedestrian hit-and-run on 8th Avenue South Saturday night.

The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) says 40-year-old Josh Taylor was crossing the road headed towards The Smiling Elephant restaurant when he was hit by a car, thrown to the roadway from the impact, and then hit by a second car.

Taylor was rushed to the hospital where he remains in critical condition. MNPD says the driver of the second car stopped, and the first driver fled the scene.

“Every life is important and every life in Davidson County on the roads is really critical,” Metro Councilmember Terry Vo said.

Vo represents the 17th District in Nashville, which includes a portion of 8th Avenue South.

“But to me, it’s like we’ve got to pay attention when we’re driving,” Vo said. “It needs to be the only thing we’re doing.”

While the circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation, MNPD says Taylor was not in a crosswalk when he was crossing the road. Even so, Vo and others we spoke with in the neighborhood say drivers need to be attentive no matter where they are.

“One second of inattention can make the difference between something happening or not happening,” Taylor Teachworth said.

Vo says not using the crosswalk also doesn’t negate the fact that the driver fled the area.

“That doesn’t give the excuse that we just crash into something and then continue on if there was an accident,” Vo said.

Teachworth says even with sidewalks, walking next to roads where cars are usually speeding almost negates the perceived safety of the sidewalk.

“It doesn’t feel super safe to walk around, or it’s just actually physically not super reasonable to do,” Teachworth said.

She says while pedestrians have a responsibility to use the crosswalks, drivers should also be on the lookout at all times for any obstacle, including people, that could be in the road.

“Everyone would say that they don’t want that to happen, and it is kind of on you as a person who’s driving to be aware of the situation and have your eyes on the road,” Teachworth said.

Councilmember Vo says she’d like to see wide crosswalks across the city like at the fairgrounds to enhance safety. She says upgrading infrastructure surrounding walking and biking, including increased lighting for extra visibility, can help prevent situations like this from happening.

MNPD says the car they are searching for is a red Jeep with a black door. Police say the car should have front end damage on the driver’s side.

MNPD has also issued a BOLO for the car in Davidson County.