NASHVILLE, TN — Police in Nashville have cited an 87-year-old Kentucky man after a crash at the Broadway and Fourth Avenue North intersection left one pedestrian dead and three others injured. Investigators say Thomas Cahill was driving south on Fourth Avenue North in a Ford Fusion on Aug. 1 when he stopped near the intersection, then accelerated through a red light and hit four people in the crosswalk.
The fatal crash happened while the pedestrian signal was on. Police said Cahill stopped on Fourth Avenue South after the collision and got out of the car on his own. He was later taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center and released a few days afterward.
Police say Cahill drove through a red light as pedestrians had the walk signal
According to investigators, Cahill was approaching the busy downtown intersection when he came to a stop short of Broadway. Police said the traffic light for Fourth Avenue was red, while pedestrians had the walk signal to cross.
Officers say Cahill then accelerated for reasons that remain unclear and struck four people in the crosswalk. The crash occurred in one of Nashville’s most heavily traveled entertainment districts, where foot traffic often mixes with vehicle traffic around the Broadway corridor. Police have not said why Cahill lost control or sped forward.
One man died at the scene while three other pedestrians were hurt
Timothy Wedlock, 58, a visitor from Australia, died at the scene from his injuries. Police identified the other victims as Matthew Gregg, 44, of Jacksonville, Florida; Dianne Cooper, 58, of Parsons, Tennessee; and Kathleen Broderick, 21, of Knoxville.
Gregg and Cooper remain hospitalized, while Broderick was released from the hospital on Aug. 2. The crash left one family and several others dealing with the aftermath of serious injuries, including a visiting traveler who never made it home. Authorities have not released additional details about the victims’ conditions beyond their hospital status.
Driver told officers he does not remember what happened
Police said Cahill was able to stop the Ford Fusion after the collision and exit the vehicle without help. He was then transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for treatment and discharged several days later.
Officers said Cahill told them he does not remember the crash. That statement is one of the few pieces of information investigators have shared publicly about the moments immediately after the collision. Police have not said whether they believe a medical issue, distraction or other factor contributed to the crash.
Four misdemeanor charges were filed after consultation with prosecutors
After speaking with the District Attorney’s Office, police issued Cahill four misdemeanor citations tied to the crash. He was charged with one count of failure to yield resulting in death and three counts of failure to yield resulting in serious injury.
Authorities said his booking date is scheduled for Oct. 1. The charges reflect the number of people hurt in the collision and the death of Wedlock, but police have not announced any additional charges or said whether the case could change as the investigation continues.
Broadway safety questions continue after another pedestrian death and injuries
The crash adds to ongoing concern about pedestrian safety along Broadway, where large crowds regularly move through downtown streets at the same time cars are trying to navigate the area. WZTV noted that TDOT has considered using retractable bollards on Broadway after a pedestrian death and injuries in a separate incident.
That broader safety discussion now sits alongside the criminal case against Cahill and the condition of the surviving victims. For now, investigators have tied the Aug. 1 collision to a red-light violation at a crosswalk and filed misdemeanor charges based on the deadly outcome.
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