NASHVILLE — Markeith Miller, 42, was killed in a crash before dawn Friday when the car he was riding in was struck by another vehicle at the Old Hickory Boulevard and Zermatt Avenue intersection in Davidson County, police said. The fatal collision happened in the heart of Nashville around 2:00 a.m., throwing a quiet morning into tragedy for one family and prompting a full investigation by local authorities.
Officers from the Metro Nashville Police Department say the crash involved a 2005 Lincoln Grand Marquis and a 2019 Honda Accord. The Lincoln, carrying Miller as a front-seat passenger, was heading west on Old Hickory Boulevard when the driver turned left toward Zermatt Avenue and was hit on the passenger side by the Honda, according to preliminary findings. The impact caused the Lincoln to flip over and come to rest upside down near the intersection.
Emergency responders arriving at the scene found Miller not breathing and suffering from severe trauma. Paramedics quickly determined that he had died before he could be taken to the hospital. The loss has sent shockwaves through the Nashville community and raised fresh questions about safety at this busy stretch of roadway.
The driver of the Lincoln, identified as 38-year-old Katera Johnson, was taken by ambulance to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Officials say she suffered injuries that are not life-threatening and remains under medical care. The operator of the Honda, 25-year-old Eddie McGee, was also transported to Vanderbilt with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
Investigators with MNPD and the Tennessee Highway Patrol are combing the scene for clues that could explain what went wrong. Early indications suggest that the Lincoln may have failed to yield the right of way before the crash, though investigators are also looking into whether speed, distraction, or impairment played a role. No charges or citations have been announced so far as the inquiry continues.
Old Hickory Boulevard is a main east-west artery in north Nashville that carries heavy commuter traffic every day. Officials temporarily closed parts of the roadway while clearing wreckage and documenting evidence, leading to delays for early commuters and first responders alike. Neighbors say they hope this deadly crash will remind drivers to be cautious at this and other busy intersections.
Friends and family are mourning Miller, who was described by those who knew him as a devoted father and friend. Community members are sharing condolences and urging anyone with information about the crash to contact the Nashville Police Department’s traffic division as investigators work to piece together the final moments before impact.
