The motorcyclist who sustained life-threatening injuries Saturday at 10:10 p.m. after colliding with the back of an Acura sedan on I-440 East is identified as Donald Tucker II, 24, of Nashville.
The preliminary investigation shows that Tucker was riding his BMW motorcycle on I-440 when he struck the Acura from behind, causing the Acura to swerve abruptly, and collide with a Kawasaki motorcycle operated by a 54-year-old Nashville man. The Acura subsequently spun out and collided with the left-hand retaining wall. The Kawasaki came to rest adjacent to the Acura.
Tucker’s motorcycle continued down the roadway before sliding on its side and coming to rest on the left shoulder. A Honda motorcycle, believed to have been operated by a 24-year-old Portland, Tennessee, man, and a second BMW motorcycle, operated by a 43-year-old Thompson Station man, were also involved. The second BMW slid across the roadway and struck the right-hand retaining wall. The specific point of impact for the Honda remains undetermined at this time.
All four motorcyclists were transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Tucker was critically injured. The other three motorcyclists sustained non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the Acura received minor injuries and was taken to Saint Thomas Hospital West. Three of the motorcycles—the two BMWs and the Honda—caught fire as a result of the crash.
Multiple GoPro cameras were recovered at the scene and will be reviewed for potential video evidence.
The investigation continues to clarify the precise sequence of events and contributing factors. At this time, the preliminary cause of this crash appears to be improper following on the part of Tucker.