Driver who struck Murfreesboro students at crosswalk in Blackman school zone not charged

Tennessee Highway Patrol will not charge the 42-year-old driver who struck two students walking in the Blackman school zone on Tuesday, agency spokesman Sgt. Alex Campbell confirmed.

The driver of a 2022 Acura RDX made a left turn from Blaze Drive heading southbound on Fortress Boulevard when she struck the Rutherford County Schools students, who were making their way across Fortress at the crosswalk.  

The intersection of Fortress and Blaze drives in the heart of the Blackman elementary, middle and high schools zone, confirmed district spokesman James Evans. Although the incident did not happen on any school campus.

There was no crossing guard at the intersection. 

Evans said the pedestrians were transported to a local hospital. The students sustained minor injuries but were treated and released later that day.

Tuesday's incident occurred four days after an RCS student was hit and killed after getting off the bus on the first day of school. The pedestrian's name has not been released.

Murfreesboro Police Department continues to investigate the death of the student killed on Friday, a spokesperson from the police department said. 

The city of Murfreesboro released a public service announcement Tuesday reminding motorists that traffic has increased now that school is back in session.

“We’ve got a lot of kids walking to and from schools, riding their bicycles,” MPD Lt. Greg Walker said in the video announcement. “We just mainly want people to focus on the roadways, stay off their phones, make sure their selves and their children are buckled up and to also watch their speed.”

The first day of school was Aug. 5. 

Reach reporter Nancy DeGennaro at degennaro@dnj.com.