A Vanderbilt University graduate student struck and critically injured Tuesday afternoon by a dump truck while crossing West End Avenue at 31st Avenue South died today.
Ruonan Yao, 31, was crossing West End Avenue in a crosswalk with the green “walk” signal when the dump truck, driven by Ken Cathey, 58, of Ashland City, made a right turn from 31st Avenue South onto West End Avenue and struck Yao. Cathey reported he did not see Yao when he made the turn. The preliminary contributing factor to the collision appears to be Cathey’s failure to yield the right of way. The final investigative findings will be staffed with the District Attorney’s Office for a determination on charges.