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Nashville, TN (August 11, 2026) – A 30-year-old man died early on Tuesday, August 11, following a two-vehicle collision on Harding Place near Linbar Drive. The crash happened at approximately 2:45 a.m.
Martin Villagomez Jr. of Nashville was driving a 2019 Nissan Altima when it was struck by a 2004 GMC Yukon. Responders took both drivers to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Villagomez later died from his injuries. The Yukon driver, a 32-year-old woman from La Vergne, received non-life-threatening injuries.
Part of Harding Place was closed while crews worked along the roadway and investigators examined the scene of the accident.
The collision remains under review. We extend our sincere condolences to Villagomez’s family and friends, and wish the injured woman a full recovery.
How Side Crashes Affect Vehicle Occupants
Side-impact crashes can be especially dangerous because there is less space between an occupant and the point of contact with another vehicle. Doors and side panels provide less room to absorb force than the front or rear of a vehicle.
A strong strike can push the occupant toward the door, a window, a seat, or the center of the cabin. The head, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and spine may all be vulnerable during this type of impact.
Travel speed, vehicle size, seating position, contact angle, and side-airbag deployment can influence injury severity. Medical teams may use scans and close monitoring to identify internal bleeding, fractures, brain trauma, or organ damage that may not be immediately visible.
