NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — After a man was hit by a truck while riding an electric scooter in South Nashville Monday evening, News 2 spoke to his family, who is seeking justice following his death.
According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, the incident happened just before 7 p.m. on Monday, March 3 on Old Hickory Boulevard near Firestone Parkway, leading to the death of 65-year-old Charles A. Fountain from Jacksonville, Florida.
“Him and my mom would have had their 40th wedding anniversary in June, and he was very proud of that,” Karen Hawkins, Fountain’s daughter, said.
Hawkins told News 2 that Fountain — who went by Alan — left behind his wife, two daughters, and eight grandchildren.
“My son wants his Pappy. That’s what my children, that’s what his grandchildren called him was Pappy,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins said her father was in Nashville for work as a truck driver, adding that he bought a scooter a few weeks ago so he could run errands and get food during stops.
On Monday evening, authorities said Fountain pulled out of a Dollar General parking lot and started riding the scooter down the shoulder of Old Hickory Boulevard, heading back to the TA Truck Stop where he had parked his tractor-trailer. When he tried to cross the road, he was reportedly hit by a Toyota Tacoma, which dragged the scooter for more than 900 feet before fleeing toward Murfreesboro Pike.
“It’s been very, very difficult, and I think it’s even more difficult because he wasn’t sick. We weren’t able to stand around his bed and tell him goodbye and how much we love him. Instead, he was taken, and I think that’s the hardest part of being unexpected,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins said Fountain’s family is hoping for justice following his death.
“We just have faith and hope that justice will be served and prevail. That’s all we can have at this point is hope that justice will be served,” she said.
On Wednesday, March 5, police said they found the Toyota abandoned at an apartment complex along Edmondson Pike after receiving a Crime Stoppers tip. Several hours later, officials announced 25-year-old Karla Guadalupe Armendariz had been charged in connection with Monday’s truck-scooter collision.
According to law enforcement, the Toyota’s registered owner told them Armendariz wanted to surrender, so she was taken into custody in Brentwood and interviewed. She reportedly admitted to drinking six beers and taking a prescription drug before the crash, but she claimed she blacked out and didn’t remember the incident.
The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office said Armendariz is being held on a $100,000 bond for vehicular homicide by intoxication, leaving the scene of a crash involving death, and driving without a license. However, she is not eligible for release due to a detainer from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Meanwhile, Hawkins shared the biggest message she hopes people take away from her father’s death: “I want everyone to just call their dad and tell their dad they love him and make plans with him, because I wish that I could do that and I can’t, so if their dad’s around, I hope that’s something that they will do.”
