Update: The deceased driver of the BMW has been identified as Matriel Anthony Harper, 31, who showed addresses in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Miami, Florida. A rear seat passenger in the BMW who was critically injured died today at the hospital, bringing the total number of fatalities in this crash to three. He is identified as Devonte Gordon, 31, of Hollywood, Florida.
Two persons died in Saturday’s 8:40 p.m. two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Woodland and S. 1st Streets caused by a speeding BMW sedan that ran a red light and collided with an Infiniti Crossover SUV. The driver of the BMW was killed, as was a passenger in the Infiniti.
The investigation shows that an officer attempted to stop the BMW for a traffic violation near 1st Avenue South and Gay Street downtown. The car stopped momentarily before accelerating away. The officer did not pursue. A short time later, the crash occurred.
Video footage from a stationary camera shows that the Infiniti was headed southbound at South 1st Street and was stopped for the red light at the intersection of Woodland Street. When the light turned green for the Infiniti and red for the oncoming BMW, the BMW, traveling at a high rate of speed, ran the light and collided with the Infiniti at the passenger side door. The Infiniti was knocked down the road and overturned. After striking the Infiniti, the BMW collided with a light pole and a fire hydrant.
Cognac and marijuana were found near the BMW.
The deceased driver of the BMW has been identified as a 31-year-old man who has a Bowling Green, Kentucky, address. Work is continuing to notify his family. There were four other passengers in the BMW. Three of them were injured and taken to a hospital.
The deceased front seat passenger from the Infiniti is identified as Kyla Green, 21, of Nashville. The driver and two other passengers in the Infiniti were injured and taken to a hospital.
Toxicology testing on the driver of the BMW will be performed by the Medical Examiner’s Office.