Daniel Velasco-Reyes Obituary, Death; Woman Dies at Hospital After South Nashville Motorcycle Crash
Daniel Velasco-Reyes Obituary, Death – Authorities in Nashville have confirmed that both victims involved in a motorcycle crash earlier this week have died from their injuries. The Metro Nashville Police Department reported that the collision occurred Tuesday night on Nolensville Pike, when a motorcycle carrying two riders collided with an SUV.
The motorcycle, identified as a 2014 CFMoto 650, struck a Chrysler Aspen that was pulling out of a gas station. The impact of the crash was so forceful that both the operator and passenger were thrown from the bike. Emergency crews arrived quickly and rushed the victims to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for treatment.
The operator of the motorcycle was identified as 19-year-old Daniel Velasco-Reyes. Despite efforts by medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries not long after being admitted to the hospital. His passenger, 19-year-old Mariana Maldanado-Vergara, was initially listed in critical condition following the crash. Tragically, police confirmed that Vergara died from her injuries on Thursday, two days after the collision.
Fatal crash investigators have been working to determine what led to the deadly accident. According to their findings so far, speed appears to have been the primary factor contributing to the collision. Police noted that there was no evidence of impairment from either driver involved. The operator of the SUV remained at the scene and cooperated fully with officers during the investigation.
The crash has left a somber mark on the South Nashville community, particularly given the young ages of both victims. At just 19 years old, Velasco-Reyes and Vergara were at the beginning of their adult lives. Their sudden passing underscores the devastating consequences high-speed motorcycle crashes can have, even when other drivers are not at fault.
Authorities highlighted that excessive speed often reduces the reaction time riders and drivers have in sudden traffic situations, making collisions far more likely to be fatal. In this case, detectives believe the motorcycle’s rate of travel gave little chance for either rider to avoid impact when the SUV entered the roadway.
Nolensville Pike, the site of the accident, is a heavily traveled corridor in South Nashville and has seen a number of serious crashes in recent years. The latest tragedy has renewed concerns about motorcycle safety, particularly regarding speeding and the vulnerability of riders in collisions with larger vehicles.
No charges are expected against the driver of the SUV, as investigators have not found evidence of negligence or impairment on that driver’s part. The case, however, remains open as police finalize their review and compile their official report.
As word of the fatalities spreads, family and friends of Velasco-Reyes and Vergara are left grieving an unimaginable loss. The Metro Nashville Police Department expressed its condolences and reminded the public of the importance of road safety, especially when operating motorcycles, which offer far less protection in the event of a crash.
For now, the deaths of the two teenagers stand as a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly lives can be cut short on the road.
Source News: WSMV
