Springfield Teen Dies Following Friday’s Ridge Crash
GOODLETTSVILLE TENNESEE: (Smokey Barn News) – Smokey Barn News has confirmed with Metro Nashville Police that one of the children involved in Friday night’s crash at the bottom of the ridge has died.
“The Crash Investigation Unit has received notification, from the Medical Examiner’s office, that 13-year-old Gabriel Barrera Jr has succumbed to his injuries.” Kristin Mumford Public Affairs Officer Metro Nashville Police
The two-vehicle rollover crash sent an entire family of nine to area hospitals with critical injuries. According to Metro Nashville Police, the Barrera family’s vehicle was struck by another vehicle sending the Barrera’s vehicle into a deadly roll.
The crash occurred Friday night on Springfield Highway (Hwy 41) at Baker Station Road, the first call coming into 911 at 10:38 pm. MAP Madison Precinct officers responded.
Though the entire family was transported to area hospitals, two of the occupants were transported to Skyline Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, one, Gabriel Barrera Jr, died on Tuesday. Nashville’s Crash Investigation Unit is investigating the crash.
Mechanics of crash:
According to Metro Nashville’s preliminary investigation, a Toyota Highlander, with Gabriel Barrera behind the wheel with a total of 9 on board, was traveling south on Springfield Highway. At that same time, a Nissan Murano was traveling on Baker Station Road. According to a witness, the driver of the Murano allegedly ran the stop sign and struck the Toyota.
According to Metro Police, the impact sent the Toyota into a roll, ejecting multiple occupants, the vehicle ultimately landing upside down on its roof.
A witness reported that the driver of the Murano allegedly exited the vehicle and fled the scene.
Hwy 41 was closed for several hours while Nashville’s Crash Investigation Unit investigated the crash.
The other critically injured passenger, 22-year-old Santos Sontay, is recovering at Skyline.
The Murano was towed from the scene. Investigators are pursuing leads regarding the hit-and-run driver.
The ages and names of the other occupants of the Toyota Highlander (all from Springfield Tennessee) are, the driver, 43-year-old Gabriel Barrera, 21-year-old Alma Barrera, 37-year-old Efrain Sontay, 41-year-old Margarita Sontay, 10-year-old-male, and two 9-year-old girls.
If you would like to help the family with medical or funeral expenses a Go Fund Me Page has been set up to take donations. Smokey Barn News did confirm the page.
Smokey Barn News is following this story. If more information becomes available, we will bring it to you.
TOP PHOTO: Dustin Briley