Truck driver calls for traffic control measures after deadly crash involving FedEx tractor-trailer and sedan
The collision in North Nashville left one man dead and a 3-year-old child fighting for their life in the hospital.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - After a deadly crash between a sedan and a tractor-trailer Saturday night, people who drive on the same North Nashville road called for traffic-controlling measures to prevent future collisions.
The collision, involving a sedan and a FedEx tractor-trailer, occurred at the intersection of Ewing Drive and Knight Drive on Saturday around 6 p.m.
According to Metro Nashville Police, 48-year-old Richard Frazer failed to stop at a stop sign while turning left onto Knight Drive from Ewing Drive, pulling out in front of an oncoming FedEx tractor-trailer. The truck driver braked but was unable to stop in time. The truck collided with the driver’s side of Frazer’s sedan.
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Richard Frazer and his three passengers, a woman, her 15-year-old child, and a critically injured 3-year-old, were all transported to the hospital. Frazer died shortly after arriving. The 3-year-old child has life-threatening injuries, according to police.
Rebekah West, a semi-truck driver who came up on the aftermath, said the scene was hard to watch as first responders worked to free Frazer from the car.
“The fire department had showed up, and we could tell that they were trying to cut somebody out of the car,” she said. “We’re just sitting there, you know, praying, and I was just so upset the whole time.”
The FedEx terminal is located just a few hundred yards from the intersection. West, who travels the road frequently as a team driver with her husband, said she has had her own close-call experiences at the same intersection.
“It’s very dangerous. There have been many, many cars pull out in front of me and my husband on that road, in that intersection,” she said. “It takes the length of a football field to stop a semi, so it can it can be very dangerous.”
Candy Marthel, a nearby resident, echoed West’s concerns. She said there are visibility issues caused by overgrown bushes.
“You have to come down almost to the street to see because of the bushes down there,” she said. “So once you get out there and you’re trying to see around the corner, it may be too late if you just peek out.”
Both women said there is a need for a stoplight at the intersection to prevent future accidents.
“Somebody lost their life yesterday, you know, and a stoplight needs to be right there on Ewing,” Marthel said.
West said she feels sadness for all involved, including the truck driver.
“No matter who’s at fault or anything, being involved in an accident like that, where there’s somebody who has lost their life, that’s devastating, lifelong impact,” she said.
Police said there were no signs of impairment from either driver involved in the collision and do not expect any charges to be filed.
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