NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — An 18-year-old man from Kentucky faces vehicular homicide charges following a fatal multi-vehicle crash on I-24 West on Monday night.
Metro Police identified Zachary Abbott of Trenton, Kentucky, as the driver involved in the incident around 10:20 p.m. near Old Hickory Boulevard. He has been charged with vehicular homicide by intoxication and 10 counts of reckless endangerment.
Authorities said Abbott was driving a 2005 GMC Yukon westbound when he attempted to change lanes to pass traffic. He lost control, drove onto the right shoulder, and collided with an abandoned flatbed tow truck.
The impact sent the Yukon into a 2018 Jeep Wrangler, causing it to spin into two additional vehicles before stopping in the roadway. A Nissan Sentra subsequently struck the Jeep head-on, and a Toyota Camry sideswiped it shortly afterward.
Abbott's front-seat passenger, 18-year-old Talon Sewell, was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene, police confirmed. Abbott and another passenger were transported to Skyline Medical Center with minor injuries.
The driver of the Jeep and her four children, ages 12 to 15, were also taken to Skyline Medical Center with minor injuries and later released.
Responding officers reported detecting alcohol on Abbott's breath and noted signs of impairment. He is currently being held on a $100,000 bond.