Summary
On New Year's Day 2007, an unidentified pedestrian was hit and killed while crossing the eastbound lanes of I-24 near the Hickory Hollow Parkway in Nashville, Tennessee. The 21-year-old driver stopped to assist and waited for authorities to come help. Investigators determined that the fatal collision was caused by the pedestrian and no charges were brought against the driver. The victim was a Hispanic man in his mid-20s. When he was killed, he was wearing a white t-shirt, black jeans with a brown belt and a pair of white Fila tennis shoes. He also had an identifying tattoo with the names "Jaime" and "Sandra."
Despite extensive efforts by authorities to determine the man's identity, including releasing details about the man to the media in hopes that someone would be able to identify him, they were unable to and details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP550.
Now, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department has partnered with Othram to determine if advanced DNA testing can help identify the man. Othram scientists will work to develop a suitable DNA extract that can be used with Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to develop a comprehensive DNA profile to be used in records research and forensic genetic genealogy. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team will perform records research and use genetic genealogy to develop new leads in the case. Anyone with information that could aid in the investigation is encouraged to contact the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department by calling 615-416-7803 and referencing UP550.
A DNASolves crowdfund has been created to raise funds for the casework costs. Your support can make a difference in identifying this individual and reconnecting him with his family. Please consider donating to the DNASolves fund to help cover the costs of advanced DNA testing. Additionally, if you have taken a consumer DNA test, you can contribute by opting into forensic genetic genealogy matching to assist in solving this case and others like it.