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Nashville, TN (March 3, 2026) – A woman in a wheelchair was critically injured after being struck by a vehicle Monday afternoon, March 2, in the Madison area. The collision occurred around 2 p.m. at the intersection of Gallatin Pike South and East Palestine Avenue.
Emergency units arrived and found the woman with serious injuries after she was hit while attempting to cross Gallatin Pike South in her wheelchair. She was taken to TriStar Skyline Medical Center in critical condition.
According to an arrest affidavit, 31-year-old Katelyn Rountree told officers she was turning left onto Gallatin Pike from East Palestine Avenue when she looked down at her GPS and did not see the woman. Video from the scene reportedly shows the woman crossing within the crosswalk while the pedestrian walk signal was flashing.
Rountree was arrested at the scene and charged with failure to yield. Court records show she is scheduled to appear on Thursday, April 17. She is not a Tennessee resident.
Authorities continue to investigate the crash, and more details will be released as they become available.
We are thinking of the woman injured as she receives medical care.
How Crosswalk Crashes Often Occur at Busy Intersections
Crashes involving pedestrians often happen at intersections where vehicles are turning. Drivers making left turns may focus on oncoming traffic and fail to notice people crossing in marked crosswalks.
Traffic signals and pedestrian walk signs are designed to provide clear guidance on the right-of-way. Even so, distractions such as mobile devices or in-vehicle navigation systems can reduce a driver’s awareness at critical moments.
People using wheelchairs can be especially vulnerable during collisions due to limited protection and reduced visibility from a driver’s perspective. Clear sightlines, full stops before turning, and careful scanning of crosswalks can help reduce the risk of these types of accidents.
