61-year-old dies after she’s pinned in ‘freak car accident’ outside Longhorn, cops say
Loved ones say Cathy Pendergrass spent much of her life “capturing memories.”
“With a camera in hand, she had an uncanny ability to capture life’s precious moments, preserving them for generations to come,” they wrote.
Now, her friends and family are grieving after Pendergrass, 61, died from injuries she suffered in a “freak car accident” outside a Longhorn Steakhouse in Tennessee, the Murfreesboro Police Department said Dec. 30.
The Warrenton, Virginia, woman died Dec. 28, nearly a week after police said she was hit and pinned between two vehicles.
“Cathy was deeply loved by many for her kindness, humor, and the warmth she brought to all who knew her,” an online obituary reads. “Her legacy is one of love, laughter, and a life lived fully.”
Officers were called to an accident in the restaurant’s parking lot just before 3 p.m. on Dec. 23, according to a department news release.
The crash involved a Honda SUV police said had been modified to operate as a mail carrier vehicle, with an accelerator and brake pedal located on the SUV’s passenger side.
Investigators said the driver initially backed out of a parking space so that a man in a wheelchair could get in the vehicle. The man, a stroke survivor who had no feeling on his left side, was being helped into the SUV by another woman, later identified as Pendergrass.
His foot accidentally hit the accelerator as he got in, launching the vehicle backward before spinning “out of control,” police said. Pendergrass became pinned between the SUV and a parked car in the process.
“The out-of-control SUV continued to reverse, crashing into two additional parked vehicles before coming to a stop,” according to the news release.
Police said the other woman and the man in the wheelchair weren’t hurt.
Pendergrass was taken to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville in critical condition and died days later.
Family members reminisced about her passion for nature, travel and the outdoors.
“Cathy’s love for gardening was evident in her vibrant flowers and flourishing plants, which was reflected in her nurturing spirit,” her obituary said. “Her passion for working horses and enjoying a ranching lifestyle were shared with family and friends.”
Police didn’t release further information about the accident but said the investigation is ongoing.
Pendergrass’s funeral will be held Saturday, Jan. 4.
Murfreesboro is about a 40-mile drive southeast from Nashville.
This story was originally published January 3, 2025 at 1:47 PM with the headline "61-year-old dies after she’s pinned in ‘freak car accident’ outside Longhorn, cops say."