NASHVILLE, TN — The Tennessee Highway Patrol is asking the public for help after a deadly hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian in Lewis County. Troopers said the case came to light after a passerby spotted a man lying in the road near Longbranch Road around 4 a.m. and called 911.
When officers reached the scene, they found evidence indicating the man had been struck by a vehicle. Investigators have not yet identified the driver or the vehicle involved, and they are still trying to determine what led up to the crash.
Passerby’s 911 call brought troopers to the scene
According to troopers, the first sign of trouble was a passerby who found the man in the roadway in the early morning darkness. That call prompted emergency responders to head to the area near Longbranch Road, where they confirmed the man had been injured in a collision.
The incident happened around 4 a.m., a time when visibility can be limited and traffic is often lighter. Even so, investigators are treating the case as a hit-and-run, meaning the vehicle that struck the pedestrian left the scene before troopers could identify it.
Evidence at the scene pointed to a vehicle strike
Troopers said physical evidence at the location showed the man had been hit by a vehicle. They did not immediately release additional details about the nature of that evidence or the condition of the pedestrian before he was found.
The crash site near Longbranch Road is now part of an active investigation. Authorities have not said whether they believe the driver knew a person had been struck or whether there were any witnesses who stayed at the scene long enough to speak with investigators.
Investigators are still trying to identify the driver
The Tennessee Highway Patrol has not publicly identified a suspect and has not released a description of the vehicle. Troopers are still working to piece together the movements of the driver before and after the crash.
Hit-and-run cases often depend on witness accounts, camera footage, or fragments of vehicle damage to move forward. In this case, investigators are asking anyone who saw the crash or noticed a damaged vehicle in the area to come forward with information.
How people can contact the Tennessee Highway Patrol
Anyone with information about the driver or the vehicle involved is being asked to contact the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s Emergency Dispatch Communications Center at 615-986-4986 and choose extension 0. Troopers want to hear from anyone who may have seen the collision itself or observed suspicious activity in the area around the time of the crash.
Officials are also likely seeking help from residents and motorists who were on or near Longbranch Road before dawn. Even small details could help investigators narrow the timeline and identify the vehicle that left the scene.
Deadly crash investigation remains open in Lewis County
The Tennessee Highway Patrol described the case as a developing story, indicating the investigation is still active. At this stage, troopers have confirmed only that a pedestrian was found dead after being struck in Lewis County and that the driver fled the scene.
As the investigation continues, officials have not announced any arrests or released further information about the victim. For now, troopers are relying on public tips to help move the case forward and determine exactly what happened near Longbranch Road in the hours before sunrise.
