A vibrant South Nashville community is cloaked in grief after a violent Tuesday night crash claimed the lives of two young adults, a stark and somber reminder of the fragility of life. The Metro Nashville Police Department has confirmed the devastating outcome of a collision between a motorcycle and an SUV, a crash that proved fatal for both riders.
The incident unfolded on the evening of Tuesday, May 21st, along the bustling corridor of Nolensville Pike. According to police investigators, a 2014 CFMoto 650 motorcycle, carrying two riders, was traveling at a high rate of speed when tragedy struck. A Chrysler Aspen SUV, pulling out of a gas station, entered the path of the motorcycle, resulting in a catastrophic impact.
The force of the collision was immense, ejecting both the operator and his passenger from the motorcycle. Emergency responders rushed to the scene and urgently transported the victims to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, fighting to save their lives. Despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the motorcycle’s driver, 19-year-old Daniel Velasco-Reyes, was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.
His passenger, 19-year-old Mariana Maldanado-Vergara, fought valiantly for her life for two days while in critical condition. However, the injuries she sustained proved insurmountable, and her family’s worst fears were realized when she tragically passed away on Thursday.
In their ongoing investigation, authorities have stated that preliminary evidence indicates speed was the primary factor in the severity of the crash. Police have confirmed that the driver of the Chrysler Aspen remained at the scene and is fully cooperating with law enforcement. Importantly, officials have reported that there was no initial evidence of impairment from either driver involved.
The untimely passing of Daniel Velasco-Reyes and Mariana Maldanado-Vergara has sent waves of sorrow through their families, friends, and the wider community. Both were on the cusp of their adult journeys, their futures filled with promise now heartbreakingly unfulfilled.
This devastating event has reignited urgent conversations about road safety, particularly on high-traffic thoroughfares like Nolensville Pike, which has witnessed numerous serious accidents. As the investigation continues, a community is left to mourn, united in heartbreak and reflecting on the profound loss of two young souls taken far too soon.