A Toyota RAV4 rear-ended a pedal tavern on Demonbreun Street in downtown Nashville around 8:30 Thursday night, sending nine of the twelve passengers on board to area hospitals or into treatment. Six were taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where one patient was listed in critical condition, and police said at least two of the injuries were serious. The pedal tavern operator and the RAV4 driver were not hurt. According to a Metro Nashville police spokesperson, the driver told officers he was distracted, and investigators are still working to confirm what drew his attention away from the road.
Pedal taverns are a familiar sight in Nashville’s downtown entertainment district, and the crash is unusual; a police spokesperson said they could not recall another one. The passengers were described as an older crowd, which adds a layer of concern given how vulnerable riders are on open-air vehicles with no crash protection.
For Suncoast listeners, the story is a reminder closer to home. Party bikes, golf carts, and cyclists share our roads with tourists and locals moving through crowded areas, especially after dark, and the fix starts with attention. Have you ever ridden a pedal tavern or seen one on a local street? Let us know on our Facebook page.
