NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A Memphis man is facing multiple felony charges after Metro Police say he crashed into someone on a Lime scooter.
Randolph Allen Ford is charged with felony vehicular assault and felony reckless endangerment. He is being held on a $15,000 bond.
Leonard John Patrick Roecker, 23, of Wisconsin, was operating the scooter. Now, he is fighting for his life at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
The collision happened Saturday night on 4th Avenue South near Elm Street.
According to a Metro Police officer at the scene, Roecker was on a Lime scooter and pulling out of a nearby music venue when the pickup truck — which was speeding according to a witness — came up from behind and struck the scooter. The pickup truck then traveled off the left side of the roadway and crossed over a sidewalk before striking a utility pole and railroad ties in a parking lot. Ford was not wearing a seat belt and struck his head when his vehicle hit the pole.
"The scooter was in pieces. The truck had obviously barreled across and hit the pole across the street," said Tony Block, owner of Bar: Cigar Especial.
At this intersection, in the last four months, there's been six crashes, according to police data. Last year, a car struck Block's business, hit the water line and caused a flood.
"Something has to be done. It really is a dangerous street," Block said.
Brian Hardson catches the bus at the intersection. He thinks more stop signs would help. Right now, you can drive four blocks from Korean Veterans Blvd to Lafayette Street without having to stop.
"Broadway is busy, so everyone is coming out of Broadway — Nashville is a booming town and Broadway is the heart of it. Most people leaving Broadway leave to come out this way," said Hardson.
Police think alcohol may have played a part in Ford's actions. He was transported to Vanderbilt, where a blood sample was taken to be tested for drugs and alcohol.
In Nashville, in a business district, scooters are allowed to be driven on the road. This is because scooters aren't allowed on sidewalks within a business district.
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