NASHVILLE, TN : Driver arrested after crash on I-24 critically hurts passenger on Sunday, 3rd November 2024

A three-vehicle crash early Sunday led to two arrests and one woman critically hurt.

The crash happened on I-24 East near the exit for Bell Road around 2 a.m. Sunday. Metro Nashville Police say that two vehicles were driving aggressively, trying to run each other off the road before the crash. Metro Nashville Police Department investigation has shown that as Yimer Veleno, who was driving a Honda Accord, and the driver of a white panel van approached the exit for Bell Road.

At this time, the Honda struck the back of the van before hitting the side of a Mazda SUV. The white van fled from the scene of the crash. The Honda and Mazda both came to a stop on the exit ramp to Bell Road.

Arrest warrants were issued charging Veleno, 45, of Murfreesboro, with reckless aggravated assault, vehicular assault, open container violation and not having insurance. The passenger, who was riding with Veleno and has not been named, was not wearing a seat belt during the crash and was critically hurt.

MNPD says that the driver of the Mazda, Nilubon Wiphawachart, 25, of Nashville, was arrested at the scene for DUI.

Source