NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A 58-year-old man from Australia died and three other pedestrians were injured after police say an 87-year-old driver ran a red light and struck them in a downtown Nashville crosswalk Saturday afternoon.
Watch: MNPD holds briefing on deadly Broadway pedestrian crash
The crash happened shortly after 12:30 p.m. at Fourth Avenue and Broadway.
Metro Nashville Police said the pedestrians were lawfully crossing Fourth Avenue with an active walk signal when a white Ford Fusion traveling south ran the red light and struck at least four people. The crash was captured by cameras at the intersection.
All four pedestrians were taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The 58-year-old Australian man died shortly after arriving at the hospital.
A pedestrian from Jacksonville, Florida, was in critical condition and undergoing surgery as of 2:30 p.m. Another pedestrian from Knoxville was being treated in serious but noncritical condition.
Police said a fourth pedestrian, whose information was still being gathered, was also in critical condition.
The 87-year-old driver, who is from Kentucky, was hospitalized in serious condition.
His wife and a caregiver were inside the car with him. His wife suffered minor injuries, while the caregiver was not injured. Officers were working to speak with the caregiver to learn more about what happened.
Investigators were still working to determine why the driver ran the red light and entered the crosswalk. No potential charges had been announced.
“From what we know at this moment, this was an accident,” Don Aaron with MNPD said. “We still have to determine why that occurred.”
Mayor Freddie O’Connell released the following statement:
"This is an incredibly tragic event, and my heart goes out to the victims and their families impacted by this horrible moment.
Our first responders and local medical professionals are working to aid the people injured, and crews are on the scene now to investigate exactly what occurred and how. Right now, it’s unclear why the 87-year old driver failed to stop for the pedestrians in the crosswalk.
Our main goals now are to take care of the victims and to keep everyone else safe."
The Metro Nashville Police Department’s Traffic Division is continuing to investigate the crash.
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