Wanted man dies after accident and jump over retaining wall on I-40 exit ramp in Nashville, Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – A Nashville man died Friday night after he reportedly crashed on an Interstate 40 exit ramp, jumping over a retaining wall and falling a considerable height.

The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said the investigation revealed that a Hermitage Precinct officer was traveling west on I-40 at approximately 8:11 p.m. on Friday, June 28, when he observed an Infiniti G37 sedan enter the interstate with a loosely attached, expired license plate flapping in the wind.

Officials said the officer turned on his blue lights and attempted to make a traffic stop, but the Infiniti accelerated at a high rate of speed and moved into the far left lane, so the officer turned off his lights and did not pursue the car. However, another officer traveling on I-40 West saw the Infiniti pass him at a high rate of speed.

Authorities said the car moved into the far right lane and took the southbound exit of Briley Parkway. Evidence shows the Infiniti struck the left retaining wall, then the right one, before coming to a stop on the right side of the ramp.

Police said they pulled up and saw the driver get out of the car, run behind the Infiniti and jump over the right retaining wall before falling a considerable distance onto the grassy area next to the northbound exit ramp of Briley Parkway.

According to MNPD, officers attempted to assist the man before he was taken to TriStar Skyline Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. As of this writing, officers have not been able to locate his next of kin.

Authorities said the driver – described only as a 22-year-old from Nashville – was wanted in Sumner County on an outstanding warrant for probation violation at the time of the incident. In addition, officers found a Glock pistol in the Infiniti with a switch that made it fully automatic, a drum magazine with bullets, 22.7 grams of crystal meth, 55.7 grams of white powder, 17.1 grams of purple powder and two digital scales..

Investigators believe the man’s death will be ruled an accident until the medical examiner’s autopsy report is available.