Families of crash victims honor loved ones, push for change on Tennessee roads

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Families and community leaders gathered to honor loved ones and push for change on World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims at the Tennessee State Capitol.

"Today's been a really rough day actually. I started crying on the way over here," said Chuck Isbell.

Isbell has been pushing for lower speed limits ever since his 13-year-old son was struck and killed by a speeding driver in Rutherford County on Halloween night four years ago.

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"[The driver] wasn't paying attention. She just ran him over," Isbell told News 2.

Isbell is one of several members of Families for Safe Streets (FSS) Nashville. Together, they planted 1,000 flags for the 1,000 victims who die on average every year on Tennessee roads.

FSS Nashville is demanding action from state leaders through a petition, specifically criticizing the Tennessee Strategic Highway Safety Plan, which has a future trend line for crashes steadily increasing through 2027.

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"If we had 10 Boeing 747s falling out, headed into BNA every year, we would dedicate all the resources we could to solving the problem. We are not doing that with this, and we're normalizing it, and it has to stop," said Wesley Smith from Walk Bike Nashville.

Smith said speed is often a factor in deadly crashes on state roads. He urges the state to make a comprehensive plan to reduce future fatalities.

FSS Nashville invites anyone who has lost close friends or family members while biking, walking, or driving in Tennessee to join their group if they need support or want change on state roads.