NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) -- Interstate 40 East was shut down for hours Tuesday as Nashville authorities investigated the death of a pedestrian from Mt. Juliet. Now, that young man's father is looking for answers.
According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, 22-year-old Austin David was struck and killed on Tuesday, Dec. 3 between the Donelson Pike and Stewarts Ferry Pike exits on I-40 East. The preliminary investigation indicates Austin was walking along the right side of the interstate, near the fourth lane, when he was first hit before being run over by other vehicles in the third lane.
Just days before the incident, Austin and his father, Josh David, celebrated Thanksgiving together. Austin even spent the week next to his brother, who just underwent a kidney transplant, in the hospital. Josh said goodbye on Sunday, Dec. 1, not knowing it would be the last time he'd ever see Austin.
"I lost my mom when I was 19 and I thought that was the worst, but this is definitely the hardest," Josh told News 2. "I'm just still in denial that that's him, but they said his body was in such bad shape they didn't want me to see him."
According to Josh, his family heard from Austin's friend who was in the car with him before he started walking on the interstate: "He told my son's mom that him and Austin got into an argument and Austin got out of the car."
Amid the grief, Josh said he has questions about what happened, including why Austin's body was found around 11:15 a.m. even though officials reported the collision may have occurred as early as 2 a.m. In addition, there were no witnesses or vehicles at the scene when police arrived late Tuesday morning.
Josh told News 2 he called Metro police on Wednesday, Dec. 4 for updates, but the detective had the day off.
"I basically told the lady, I was like, 'Is there anybody I can talk to and try to let know what little bit we do know?' And she's like, 'No, he's the only one handling it and we'll deal with it tomorrow when he's at work,'" Josh recalled.
As the wait for more answers continues, Josh says he's holding onto the memory of his son who was loved by many.
"He was just the funniest, loving, caring, would give the shirt off his back to anybody. He was just a great kid," said Josh.
Metro police told News 2 the investigation is still ongoing as of Wednesday. If you have any information about Tuesday's deadly crash, you’re asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.