By Joey Leslie and Jerry Jones
O&AN Staff
The owner of The Blooming Boutique and his partner were killed less than a mile from their home in a single car crash in the early morning of Sunday, Feb. 28.
Christopher (Buck) Nadeau, 38, and his partner, Brandon Jewell, 23, had just finished an evening out, including attending the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Dinner at the Loew’s Vanderbilt Plaza hotel, when the 2007 Nissan Maxima that Nadeau was driving went off the road and struck a utility pole, killing both instantly.
Jewell, who worked at SunTrust Bank in their online division, is a native of Benzonia, Mich., and moved to Nashville several years ago.
Nadeau, a native of West Allis, Wis., settled in Nashville in 1998. Nadeau opened the Blooming Boutique with Jerry Gabbard in 2002. Nadeau took sole ownership a few years ago.
Metro Police said that at approximately 1:27 a.m., Hermitage precinct officers responded to a motor vehicle crash on Central Pike near S. New Hope Road.
“The preliminary investigation indicates that the vehicle, a 2007 Nissan Maxima, was traveling east on Central Pike, near New Hope Rd, when it left the right side of the roadway,” said Metro Police Fatal Crash investigators in their report. “It appears that the driver may have tried to get the vehicle back onto the roadway, but due to the slope of the shoulder was not able too."
Investigators said that evidence at the scene indicated alcohol may have been a contributing factor and that results of a blood alcohol test will be pending the medical examiners toxicology report.
Nashville’s GLBT community reacted with shock and disbelief. Nadeau was on the board of directors and served as treasurer for the Nashville GLBT Chamber of Commerce and was active through his business in supporting two of Nashville’s largest GLBT charity fundraisers, the HRC Dinner and Unpredictable.
“I am too shocked for words,” said Chamber President John Wade. “Please keep the families of Chris and Brandon in your thoughts and prayers.”
Arrangements are pending and will be posted as we find out the information.