NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE — Court proceedings for the truck driver who told police he intentionally drove a semi-truck through the front of an East Nashville Aldi grocery store he was supposed to be delivering to have been delayed while he undergoes a mental evaluation — and the evaluation may still be ongoing when he next appears before a judge on Thursday, September 24.
Kristofer Scruggs, 34, was scheduled to appear before a Nashville judge on Monday, September 21, but the appearance was delayed at the last minute due to the ongoing evaluation. Court records indicate police are not expected to be called to testify at Thursday’s rescheduled appearance. The motive for the crash remains unclear.
What Happened
Shortly after midnight on September 17, officers responded to an alarm at the Aldi on Gallatin Avenue. The store was closed and no one was inside. Surveillance footage shows Scruggs turning into the parking lot from Gallatin Avenue and accelerating before impact. The truck, which was about one-third full of stock intended for the Aldi delivery, crashed through the front of the store. The top of the trailer was badly crunched into the front facade of the building with several wheels off the ground. The cab detached from the trailer and traveled into the store aisles.
When police arrived, Scruggs was still at the scene. He told officers the crash was intentional — that the thought had come to him to drive into the store where he was making a delivery. He showed no signs of impairment and denied any suicidal or homicidal intent. He was not under the influence at the time.
Damages to the truck, trailer, products, and store structure are estimated at more than $250,000. Crews offloaded the remaining stock from the trailer and assessed damage to the building.
Aldi issued a statement following the crash. “The safety of our employees, customers and community is our top priority. Early this morning, a truck struck our Nashville store. We are grateful there were no injuries to store employees or customers and appreciate the quick response of first responders. We are cooperating with local authorities as they investigate the incident, and we are currently assessing the impact to the store. We will work to reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.”
Scruggs was booked into Metro jail on a felony vandalism charge with bond set at $35,000. The motive for the crash has not been established. His next court date is September 24.
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