Man charged with vehicular homicide by intoxication after multi-vehicle crash on I-24 East in Antioch

Yahoo

01-07-2025

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A man has been charged in connection with a deadly crash that shut down the eastbound lanes of Interstate 24 in Antioch for several hours Sunday morning, according to officials.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation said the crash was reported at 3:19 a.m. on Sunday, June 29 near mile marker 59. The eastbound lanes of I-24 and the Bell Road exit were closed, so traffic was temporarily diverted at Harding Place.
A second crash on I-24 East was reported just before 4:30 a.m. near mile marker 58, causing additional closures on entrance ramps from Harding Place and Haywood Lane. Officials said the closures from this incident were expected to clear by 8:30 a.m.
The crash sites were cleared at approximately 9 a.m. Sunday.
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On Sunday afternoon, the Metro Nashville Police Department announced 28-year-old John Baudendistel was charged with vehicular homicide by intoxication in relation to the '4 a.m. multi-vehicle crash' on I-24 East near the Bell Road exit.
Authorities said they're still investigating the exact order of events, but all four vehicles involved in the incident were traveling east on I-24 when the first collision apparently occurred between a 2015 Subaru Crosstrek and a 2003 Honda Accord.
According to officials, the Subaru driver and the Honda driver ran off, leaving their vehicles — both of which had 'evidence of alcohol involvement' — behind.
Baudendistel was driving a Nissan Rogue, which allegedly struck the back of 51-year-old Angela Dawn Loupe's Nissan Sentra. Police said the Murfreesboro woman may have been slowing down to avoid the initial crash between the hit-and-run drivers.
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Loupe driver was brought to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she died, law enforcement said.
According to MNPD, the officers who first responded to the scene noticed Baudendistel had glossy, red eyes, as well as slurred speech. Not only was there an open alcoholic beverage container in the Nissan Rogue's center console, but Baudendistel reportedly admitted to drinking alcohol prior to the crash.
Authorities said the 28-year-old consented to a blood draw after showing signs of impairment during standard field sobriety tasks.
Law enforcement reported Baudendistel was booked into jail at 9:45 a.m., but he was released just over three hours later on a $25,000 bond.
Baudendistel is a band director at LaVergne Middle School. He has been employed with Rutherford County Schools since Aug. 1, 2023, according to the district.
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No additional details have been released about Sunday morning's fatal crash.
If you have any information regarding the two drivers who fled the scene, you're asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Callers can stay anonymous and qualify for a cash reward.
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