BELMAR – A Belmar man was struck and killed by a pickup truck Saturday in Nashville, according to authorities.
Michael O’Connell, 58, was fatally hit at 1 a.m. while in a crosswalk at 12th Avenue at Broadway , Metro Nashville Police said.
The driver of a 2009 Dodge pickup truck — 36-year-old Joey Nixon of Waverly, Tennessee — was trying to turn left onto Broadway from 12th Avenue South when he struck O’Connell, who was crossing with the walk light, according to police. Nixon had a green light but failed to yield.
According to witnesses, Nixon was spinning the pickup’s tires and speeding prior to the collision, police said, and he initially left the scene but returned a short time later. He did not show any signs of impairment.
Jacks by the Tracks, a Belmar bar and grill, posted on Facebook saying that O’Connell was a great friend and member of the community, and was affectionately known as “Lawyer Mike.”
“He impacted everyone at our establishment and his generosity and kindness will never be forgotten,” the post said. “Even in death, he has brought love and togetherness among those who have lost him which the most “Mike” thing to happen.”