February 5, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
A local motorcyclist died following Sunday afternoon’s crash with a tractor trailer on I-24 East in Nashville. According to a news release by the Metro Nashville Police Department, the preliminary investigation indicates the Harley Davidson FLT, driven by Derek McIntosh, 36, of Smithville, was merging onto I-24 East from Harding Place when he struck the side of a tractor trailer. The motorcycle traveled underneath the tractor trailer.
McIntosh died at the scene.
There was no evidence of impairment on part of either driver.
McIntosh was a fork lift operator with Nissan. He was an avid biker and musician as well as the vice president of the Truckers, Bikers and Veterans Riding Club and loved fishing, golfing, playing guitar and just being outdoors.
He was born on December 31, 1988 in Oxford, Ohio. Derek was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Lonnie Mack which was the inspiration of Derek’s love of music. He was also preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Malessia (Sugar) Bowling.
Visitation with the family will be on Saturday from 2:00 to 6:00 pm and on Sunday from 11:30 until the service at 1:00 in the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Salem Cemetery.
Survivors include his father, Eric McIntosh of Smithville; mother, Marla (Richard) Harsh of Indiana; 6 year old daughter, Melody McIntosh and mother of his child, Cassandra Yanicki both of Rock Island; 1 sister, Chayil (Cory) Gindling of Indiana; 2 brothers, Andrew Harsh and Dylan Harsh both of Indiana; grandfather, Charles Bowling and grandmother, Ruth Wilson both of Indiana; several nieces and nephews also survive.
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements