NASHVILLE, TN. (THECOUNT) — Martin Villagomez Jr., 30, of Nashville, was killed early Tuesday when the Nissan Altima he was driving was struck by a GMC Yukon at a Nashville intersection, according to police. The driver of the Yukon, 32-year-old Lizbeth Delgado Cruz of La Vergne, is expected to face a vehicular homicide by intoxication charge following the crash.
Nashville is the capital of Tennessee and the seat of Davidson County, located in Middle Tennessee. The fatal collision occurred at the intersection of Harding Place and Linbar Drive, in the southern portion of the Nashville metropolitan area.
|
Advertisement |
According to investigators, the crash occurred at approximately 2:50 a.m. Tuesday. Delgado Cruz was driving a 2004 GMC Yukon westbound on Harding Place when police said she ran a red light at Linbar Drive.
The Yukon then struck the driver’s side of Villagomez’s 2019 Nissan Altima, police said. The impact caused serious injuries to both drivers.
Emergency personnel transported Villagomez and Delgado Cruz to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for treatment. Villagomez was pronounced dead at the hospital as a result of injuries sustained in the collision.
Delgado Cruz suffered injuries described as non-life-threatening. Police said she remains hospitalized and is expected to be charged with vehicular homicide by intoxication after she is released from medical care.
Investigators said a nurse at Vanderbilt University Medical Center reported smelling alcohol on Delgado Cruz following the crash. The information prompted investigators to pursue the suspected intoxication-related charge.
The anticipated charge has not yet resulted in a conviction, and the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not provided additional details regarding Delgado Cruz’s suspected level of intoxication or whether any toxicology results have been completed.
Police also have not released additional information about the circumstances surrounding the traffic signal or the precise sequence of events immediately before the collision beyond the preliminary findings.
The crash remains under investigation by Nashville authorities. Investigators are expected to continue gathering evidence and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision before the anticipated charge is formally filed.
Villagomez’s death marks a fatal collision within the Nashville area and occurred during the early-morning hours at the Harding Place and Linbar Drive intersection.
DEVELOPING::