I-40E reopens after pedestrian hit, killed: Metro police

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) -- A portion of Interstate 40 East near Donelson Pike was closed for hours Tuesday following a deadly pedestrian crash, leading to serious delays for Nashville motorists.

The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) confirmed to News 2 on Tuesday, Dec. 3 that a pedestrian was hit on the right shoulder at mile marker 218 on I-40. Authorities later described the incident as a "fatal pedestrian collision" in a post on social media platform X.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) reported all eastbound lanes of I-40 were closed at Exit 216C, the Donelson Pike exit, due to police activity. However, traffic cameras showed MNPD and TDOT vehicles blocking I-40 East at mile marker 218.1.

Just after 1 p.m., MNPD said I-40 East would be closed between the Donelson Pike exit and the Stewarts Ferry Pike exit for the next 60 to 90 minutes as officers investigated the crash, but officials didn't announce the eastbound lanes had reopened until shortly after 3:45 p.m.

Based on TDOT's online traffic map, eastbound motorists were backed up past well past mile marker 213 on I-40:

On Tuesday evening, police announced the pedestrian struck and killed between the Donelson Pike and Stewarts Ferry Pike exits on I-40 East had been identified as 22-year-old Austin S. David of Mt. Juliet, who was found dead around 11:15 a.m.

According to authorities, the preliminary investigation indicates David was walking along the right side of I-40 East, near the fourth lane, when he was first hit before being run over by other vehicles in the third lane.

At this time, investigators do not know when the collision occurred, but it may have happened as early as 2 a.m., officials said, adding that no witnesses or vehicles stayed at the scene.

If you have any information about this deadly crash, you're asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.