Driver Arrested for Sunday Morning Crash on I-24 that Critically Injured His Female Passenger

Sunday morning's three-vehicle collision on I-24 east near the Bell Road exit resulted in critical injuries to a female passenger in one car and criminal charges against the man driving her.

Arrest warrants have been issued charging Yimer Veleno, 45, of Murfreesboro, with reckless aggravated assault, vehicular assault, open container violation and having no insurance. His front seat female adult passenger, whose name has not been confirmed, was not wearing a seatbelt and suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash.

The investigation shows that Yimer, driving a Honda Accord, and the driver of a white panel van were driving aggressively just after 2 a.m. and were trying to run each other off the road. As the two vehicles approached the Bell Road exit, the Honda struck the rear of the van and then the side of a Mazda SUV. The van fled. The Honda and Mazda came to rest on the exit ramp.

The driver of the Mazda, Nilubon Wiphawachart, 25, of Nashville, was driving impaired and was arrested for DUI.

Officers are asking for the community's assistance in locating the van. It has rear end damage to include broken rear windows. Anyone with information about it and/or the driver is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.