NASHVILLE, TN — Metro Nashville police arrested former NFL coach Rex Ryan on Wednesday after warrants accused him of six traffic offenses tied to a downtown crash complaint. Investigators say two pedestrians reported that a pickup turned through a crosswalk near Broadway and ran over both of their feet before the driver left the scene.

The Facts

• What: Police say Ryan faces two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, two counts of failure to give information or render aid, and two counts of failure to obey a traffic control signal.
• Where: The incident was reported at 4th Avenue and Broadway, near Broadway and Representative John Lewis Way.
• When: Police say it happened shortly before midnight on the Thursday before Ryan’s arrest, with the arrest made Wednesday.
• Who: Metro Nashville police say the case involves former NFL coach Rex Ryan and two pedestrians who reported being struck.
• Charges: The warrants list six misdemeanor counts, according to the police account relayed by NewsChannel 5.
• Status: Ryan was arrested and bond was reported at $6,000; no court date was listed in the material provided.

What police say

According to Metro Nashville police, the two pedestrians were crossing Broadway from 4th Avenue with the walk signal when the pickup turned right and struck both of their feet. Police say the vehicle also made contact with one victim’s leg.

The victims told police the driver stopped at the red light at Broadway and Representative John Lewis Way, where they waved him down. Police say the driver got out, argued with them, got back into the truck and drove away.

Investigators say the victims photographed the pickup’s license plate and Ryan before he left. NewsChannel 5 reported that Ryan was arrested on warrants based on the police account.

“These are allegations,” the report said, adding that Ryan is presumed innocent.

Police have not released the victims’ names or said how badly either person was hurt. They also did not provide a description of the pickup in the material reviewed.

The investigation

In hit-and-run cases, officers typically rely on witness statements, photos, video if available, vehicle descriptions and plate information to match a driver to a reported crash. Here, police say the victims captured both the plate and Ryan’s image before the truck drove off.

The arrest came nearly a week after the reported incident, but the police account provided no explanation for the delay. The material also did not say whether the photos were included in the warrants or whether investigators recovered the vehicle.

When a crash involves pedestrians, officers often document the location, traffic signal phase, visible injuries and the sequence of the vehicle’s movement through the crosswalk. That evidence can matter when prosecutors decide whether to file charges and how to prove the case in court.

What the charges mean

In Tennessee, leaving the scene of an accident can be charged when a driver involved in a crash does not stop and stay at the scene long enough to meet legal obligations. Those obligations can include giving identifying information and offering reasonable aid if someone is hurt.

Each injured person can lead to separate counts, which is why one encounter can produce multiple charges. The number of counts does not decide guilt, but it can shape how the case is handled if prosecutors proceed on every allegation.

A misdemeanor case usually moves through arraignment, hearings and possible plea discussions before trial. At that stage, a defendant can contest the facts, challenge the sufficiency of the evidence or resolve the case without a trial.

Bond is a financial condition for release while a case is pending. It does not determine guilt, but it can require the defendant to return to court and follow any conditions set by the judge.

What happens next

No court date was listed in the material provided. If prosecutors move ahead, the case would likely return to court for an initial appearance or arraignment, where the charges are read and future dates are set.

From there, the case can proceed through routine misdemeanor court steps, including review of evidence and any negotiations between the defense and prosecutors. Until then, the charges remain allegations and Ryan remains presumed innocent.

Have information on a crime? Contact local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).