NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A woman has been taken into custody in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred Monday in South Nashville. Charles Fountain, 65, was tragically killed while riding his scooter on Old Hickory Boulevard near Firestone Parkway. Fountain was struck by a pickup truck, which then fled the scene.
Witnesses to the scene described a harrowing moment, with one recalling seeing a body in the street, calling it “hurtful.” The crash left Fountain, a truck driver from Florida, dead at the scene.
Metro police investigators worked quickly to track down the vehicle involved in the collision. By Wednesday, officers had located the truck — a gray Toyota Tundra — parked at an apartment complex on Edmonson Pike. However, the driver was not present at the time.
A tip from the public led authorities to the parked truck, and investigators later learned from the truck’s registered owner that the driver intended to surrender. Police then arrested 25-year-old Karla Guadalupe Armendariz in Brentwood. During an interview, Armendariz admitted to drinking six beers and taking prescription medication before the crash. She claimed to have blacked out and did not remember the incident.
According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, Fountain had been parked at the TA Truck Stop on Monday and was riding his scooter to a nearby Dollar General. As he was returning to the truck stop, police say the pickup truck struck him and dragged the scooter for over 900 feet before coming to a stop.
Armendariz was charged with vehicular homicide by intoxication, leaving the scene of a crash involving death, and driving without a license. She was booked into the Metro jail, with her bond set at $100,000.
The tragic event has raised concerns about the dangers of impaired driving and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions on the road. As the investigation continues, authorities are emphasizing the need for responsible driving and the consequences that can follow when individuals fail to take responsibility for their actions.
