NASHVILLE, TN — A 73-year-old man was killed and a 7-year-old child was critically injured in a head-on crash Thursday evening on Whites Creek Pike, according to a preliminary investigation by Nashville authorities.
Investigators said the crash happened in the 7900 block of the road around 5:20 p.m. when the man’s vehicle crossed the double yellow line and struck an oncoming SUV. The driver who died was identified as Nicholas J. Mulder of Springfield, Tennessee.
All three people in the SUV were taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center after the crash, officials said.
Investigators say one driver crossed the center line
Police said Mulder was driving a 2019 Ford Fiesta northbound when it moved into the southbound lane and hit a 2015 Ford Escape. The collision was described as a head-on crash, a type of wreck that often leaves little time for drivers to react.
Mulder died at the scene, according to investigators. The 7-year-old child riding in the Escape suffered critical injuries, while the 25-year-old driver and a 26-year-old front-seat passenger were hurt but not in life-threatening condition.
The preliminary finding points to failure to maintain lane of travel as the apparent cause of the wreck.
No signs of impairment were found
Investigators said they did not find signs that either driver was impaired. That detail removes one possible cause from the early investigation, though officials have only released a preliminary account of what happened.
Authorities also said everyone involved is believed to have been wearing a seat belt. Seat belt use can reduce the severity of injuries in serious crashes, especially in head-on collisions where the force of impact is strong.
Police have not said whether any additional factors, such as speed or road conditions, played a role.
The crash happened during the Thursday evening commute
The timing of the wreck added to the risk on a busy stretch of roadway. The collision occurred shortly after 5 p.m., a period when traffic volume is often higher and visibility can begin to change with the fading daylight.
Whites Creek Pike runs through the Nashville area and serves both local traffic and longer neighborhood trips. A crash in the 7900 block can affect drivers moving through the corridor as emergency crews respond and investigators work the scene.
Officials did not immediately provide details about how long the roadway was impacted after the collision.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center received the injured victims
All three surviving occupants of the SUV were transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for treatment. The hospital destination underscores the seriousness of the crash, especially for the child who was listed in critical condition.
The 25-year-old driver and 26-year-old front-seat passenger were reported to have injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Officials did not release additional information about the extent of their injuries.
No further update on the child’s condition was included in the initial information released by investigators.
Preliminary findings point to lane discipline as the key issue
For now, the investigation centers on the fact that Mulder crossed the center line before impact. That is the main detail authorities have identified in explaining how the crash unfolded.
Such crashes often prompt reminders about staying within marked lanes, especially on two-way roads where oncoming traffic is separated only by painted striping. In this case, investigators said the double yellow line was crossed before the collision.
Officials have not announced any charges, and the investigation remains preliminary.
