November 13, 2023 – The wrong-way driver who collided head-on with a van in the eastbound lanes of I-40 just after 7 a.m. Monday faces aggravated assault and child endangerment charges.
The preliminary investigation, conducted by Hermitage Precinct officers, shows that Taylor Lipert, 25, was driving her Mitsubishi Eclipse west in the eastbound lanes for approximately one mile when she collided head-on with the driver of a van, Gabriel Xol Choj, 33. Lipert and her 3-year-old child were transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where she remains in stable condition. The child sustained serious injuries and also remains hospitalized. Choj was transported to Vanderbilt with critical injuries. He is in stable condition. His adult passenger was not transported.
Investigating officers believe Lipert entered the Interstate from the 221A exit ramp where multiple posted traffic signs are displayed that read “do not enter” and “wrong way”. Lipert told officers that she is new to Nashville, does not know the area, and is an inexperienced driver.
Lipert will be charged with aggravated assault (victim Choj) and aggravated child endangerment upon her discharge from the hospital.
There were no indicators of impairment on the part of Lipert at the scene.
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