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NASHVILLE, Davidson County, Tenn., Oct. 23, 2026 — Ten people were hurt Thursday night, October 22, when a car rear-ended a pedal tavern on Demonbreun Street in downtown Nashville. The Metro Nashville Police Department said the driver reported being distracted at the time.
A westbound Toyota RAV4 struck the pedal tavern around 8:30 p.m., according to police. The tavern was carrying 13 passengers, and 10 of them were injured in the crash. The RAV4's driver and the tavern's operator were not hurt, police said.
Six of the injured remained hospitalized as of Friday morning, with one person in critical condition, according to police. The rest of the injured passengers were treated and taken to area hospitals, authorities said.
Police spokesperson Kris Mumford said the driver told officers he was distracted, though investigators have not determined what caused the distraction. Mumford said crashes involving pedal taverns are rare in Nashville and that this is the first one she's aware of. The owners of Nashville Pedal Tavern, Pete Kootsikas, Angie Gleason and Brian Gleason, said in a joint statement that safety has guided their operation for 16 years and that they were saddened by the crash.
Investigators said they plan to review footage from the pedal tavern and interview the driver further. Police said the district attorney's office will be consulted once that review is complete to determine whether charges are appropriate.
Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we wish them a full recovery.
More on Crashes in Nashville, TN
The multi-vehicle crash was reported on Demonbreun Street in Nashville. If you were involved in a crash in the city, our Nashville accident resource page explains how to get a police report and what the latest local crash figures show.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should drivers do if traffic suddenly slows or stops in front of them?
Ease off the gas early, check mirrors for vehicles behind, and brake smoothly if it's safe to do so. Sudden stops without warning are a common trigger for rear-end collisions.
How much following distance is enough to avoid a rear-end crash?
A gap of three to four seconds behind the vehicle ahead gives most drivers enough time to react and stop. That gap should grow in slow-moving traffic, at night, or in areas with pedestrians and slow-moving vehicles like pedal taverns.
What counts as distracted driving?
Anything that takes a driver's eyes, hands, or attention off the road, including phones, navigation screens, food, or conversations, can qualify. Even a few seconds of inattention can close the distance to a vehicle ahead.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Accident in Nashville, TN
If you're involved in a crash like this, you should get checked by a medical professional even if injuries aren't immediately obvious, since soft-tissue and whiplash injuries can take hours to appear. It helps to get the names and badge numbers of responding officers, note which hospital any injured passengers were taken to, and ask how to obtain the official police report once it's filed. If you witnessed the crash or were a passenger, write down what you remember as soon as you can, including the time, direction of travel, and anything that stood out, while details are still fresh.
