A 71-year-old man has died after being struck by a vehicle on Gallatin Pike in East Nashville, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department. The victim, identified as Rex Heaton, was hit around 7:30 p.m. near Virginia Avenue on a stretch of road that sees heavy traffic through the East Nashville corridor.

Witnesses say the 2019 Hyundai Sonata involved in the crash was traveling south on Gallatin Pike and had been in the center turning lane before attempting to cross lanes of traffic. The collision occurred outside of a designated crosswalk, police noted.

Heaton was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center following the crash, where he later died from his injuries.

Investigators found no signs of impairment from either the driver or Heaton at the scene. The crash remains under review by Metro Nashville police as part of a standard traffic fatality investigation.

Pedestrian safety along Gallatin Pike has long been a concern for East Nashville residents and city officials, given the road’s high traffic volume and the number of people on foot in surrounding neighborhoods.