February 21, 2025

Each year, Walk Bike Nashville holds a memorial for those who lost their lives while walking or cycling in Nashville the previous year. This year, 28 lives will be remembered. All 28 people whose lives were taken in 2024 were valued members of their communities. They were friends, military veterans, elementary school students, fishermen, football players, mentors, and runners. They are gone too soon because of dangerous streets and reckless driving. 

We mourn all 28 people we lost last year. Today, we are sharing some of their stories. We invite those who are able to attend our memorial service at noon on Saturday, February 22 at Trinity Community Commons. If you have been personally affected by traffic violence or want to advocate for safer streets, consider joining our local Families for Safe Streets chapter.

Jianzhu Yu walked her neighborhood everyday. On one of her daily walks in December, she was hit and killed by a speeding driver who fled the scene. She was 82 years old. Ms. Yu was well known in the Glencliff area because of her daily walks. After hearing of the tragedy, neighbors gathered to host a vigil and community walk to honor their friend. According to those that knew her, she had the ability to brighten anyone’s day and was known for her infectious smile. 

Ronald Laird, 64, was an avid cyclist, Marine veteran, and well-known in the community. Hit while riding his bike, he died doing what he loved. A friend of Ronald’s described him as a “64-year-old man that runs like he’s 30” adding, “it humbled us”. Ronald was a person of encouragement and a genuine heart for others. Black Men Run held a moment of silence to honor Ronald at their annual Steps of Success 5k, a race he never missed.

In October, Emily Sanchez Ramirez was riding on a scooter with her mom when a driver crossed into the bike lane on Nolensville Pike and fatally struck her. Emily was 10 years old. Her family immigrated to Nashville for better opportunities than in her native Colombia. Emily attended Tusculum Elementary and had a bright future. Her death was the impetus for delineators being added to the bike lane on Nolensville Pike. 

Also in October, Leroy Wienke was visiting Nashville with his family from Wisconsin. What started as a fun vacation ended in Leroy losing his life at the hands of an intoxicated driver while waiting for a ride on a sidewalk downtown. Leroy was waiting with his wife, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law, who were all hit by the driver. Leroy passed away at Vanderbilt Medical Center. He was 66 years old. 

One day later, Michael O’Connell, 58, from New Jersey, was in Nashville on business. He was struck by a reckless driver while crossing with the walk signal in a crosswalk. His community in Belmar, New Jersey, remembers him as someone who was charitable, kind, supportive, funny, and a man of integrity and faith. He was an avid runner and had completed the New York City Marathon in 2015.

Keanna Morris, 33, was the mother of two young boys and known by her family as the life of the party. Keanna was creative and loved spending time outdoors hiking and staying active. She was killed while crossing Lafayette Street near Fairfield Avenue by an intoxicated driver. It was the driver’s third DUI offense. The family is asking the case to be prosecuted as a vehicular homicide. Keanna’s mother shared, “I just want her to keep living on. She had so much joy in her, and I think someone else could benefit from that.”

Carly Shea was killed while walking her bicycle across Harding Place in February. The driver was charged with a misdemeanor offense for failing to yield. Carly was described by her mother as optimistic, giving, friendly, and eager to help anybody even when she needed help herself. Carly was just 32 years old.

Chazan Page, a senior at TSU, was hit and killed in April on Gallatin Pike. Walking with his friends and girlfriend, he saved his girlfriend’s life from the speeding car. He was described as someone who brought out the best in people with a positive attitude and genuine care for those around him. A Nashville native, Chazan played football at Lipscomb Academy and Tennessee State and started on the offensive line for the Tigers in all 11 games in 2022 and 2023. He is missed by his family, friends, his teammates, and his TSU community

These are just a few stories of the twenty-eight lives lost in 2024. Please join us at Trinity Community Commons on Saturday, February 25, 2025 to honor traffic violence victims from last year.

People are twice as likely to be killed while walking in Nashville compared to a decade ago. That has to change. We need people power to make progress and save lives. If you have been personally affected by traffic violence or want to advocate for safer streets, consider joining our local Families for Safe Streets chapter.