NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The family of a Christiana man killed in a road rage fight is demanding justice, saying they want the man who shot him on I-65 south to face charges. This all happened during rush hour Friday night in south Nashville.
While the driver who pulled the gun and killed Chris Jankowski claims it was all self-defense, Jankowski's two daughters don’t believe his story. “I never thought I'd be burying my dad over something so silly,” says Ashlee Jankowski, of Smyrna. “My dad was my whole heart, he was our pop, he did everything for us, he loved us.”
The 53-year-old grandfather to 12 kids was taken suddenly, violently Friday night. According to Metro Police, Jankowski and 28-year-old Eric Nichols of Columbia got angry at each other while Nichols was trying to merge onto the interstate from the Harding Place ramp. Nichols told detectives he pulled over, Jankowski pulled in behind him, and the fight continued on the shoulder. Nichols claimed his semi-automatic pistol fell, both men reached for it, and Nichols fired in self-defense, killing Jankowski. It’s a story Jankowski's daughters do not believe. “He got out of that car with a gun, he knew what he was going to do,” says Ashlee. “I just can't believe it, why did he have to kill him? Why did he have to take a gun and kill my dad?” asks Ashlee’s sister, Nicole Jankowski. Jankowski had been a truck driver for decades, knew the roads, knew how to deal with traffic, and his girls say this just doesn't sound like him.
Now they want answers: what happened? Why has Nichols not been charged? “I have nothing to say, you took our pop away he was my backbone he was the foundation to my family,” says Ashlee. “Now he's gone over some senseless act that could have been avoided.” Metro Police say the case is still very much under investigation, and will be reviewed by the District Attorney's office for potential presentation to the Davidson County Grand Jury. The family is currently putting together funeral arrangements for Christopher. A
Go Fund Me Page has been started to help with funeral costs.
