NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A tragic crash early Thursday morning on Interstate 24 claimed the lives of a father and son from Illinois. Bradley Parrott, 45, and his father, William Parrott, 72, were killed when their vehicle was involved in a deadly chain reaction crash near mile marker 62 in Rutherford County.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:15 a.m. as traffic slowed in the eastbound lanes due to a construction zone. According to Metro Nashville police, the Parrotts were traveling in a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado when 25-year-old Daniel Caravaca-Bonilla, driving a 2021 Ram 2500, rear-ended their vehicle at a high rate of speed.
The force of the collision caused the Silverado to crash into an Infiniti QX50, which then struck a Ford Fusion, setting off a chain of crashes that also involved a Chevrolet Malibu. Fortunately, no one in the other vehicles was seriously injured.
Investigators say there was no indication that Caravaca-Bonilla applied the brakes before the crash. During their investigation, police found open alcohol containers in Caravaca-Bonilla’s truck, and he showed signs of impairment. Caravaca-Bonilla, however, refused to undergo testing. A search warrant was obtained for a blood sample, and results are still pending.
Caravaca-Bonilla has been arrested and charged with two counts of vehicular homicide by intoxication, seven counts of aggravated assault, DUI, possession of a handgun while under the influence, and an implied consent violation. He is currently being held on a $580,000 bond.
The crash led to a closure of the eastbound lanes of I-24 from the Old Hickory Boulevard exit to the Waldron Road exit. The road was fully reopened to traffic around 7 a.m.
Bradley and William Parrott were in Tennessee to attend a softball tournament at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), where a family member was participating. The Washington Community High School softball team, with connections to the Parrott family, announced that they were no longer participating in the tournament and were returning home. The school has promised to keep the community updated as more information becomes available.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and authorities are awaiting the results of the blood test to determine the level of impairment. The tragic incident has left both the local community and the Parrott family in mourning.
