business
Man accused of killing Nashville restaurant owner in 2024 hit-and-run pleads guilty
Summary by The Nashville Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Kassidy Brown , WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 22, 2026
· 1 min read
What This Story Is About The man accused of hitting and killing a Nashville restaurant owner in 2024 pled guilty Wednesday. What Happens Next Ulises Martinez will serve 20 years in prison before being deported. For Context Martinez hit the owner of Smokin’ Thighs, Matthew Carney, with a pickup tr...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Nashville Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Kassidy Brown, WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 22, 2026 Indexed here Jul 22, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway The DA’s office said Martinez accepted the plea for 20 years in prison, with no parole early release, and his sentences for the additional charges will be served concurrently with the 20 years.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The guilty plea of Ulises Martinez brings a measure of closure to the Wedgewood Avenue community, where Matthew Carney's Smokin' Thighs restaurant was a local staple. Carney's death sent shockwaves through the neighborhood, and the subsequent investigation and prosecution have been closely watched by residents and business owners. The fact that Martinez will serve 20 years in prison before being deported may provide some sense of justice for Carney's family and the community. As the city continues to grapple with issues of public safety and immigration, this case raises questions about how Nashville's law enforcement and judicial systems interact with federal immigration authorities. The impact of Carney's death is still felt in the community, and his restaurant remains a reminder of the vibrant small businesses that make Nashville's neighborhoods thrive. The city's response to this tragedy will be closely watched in the coming months.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 22, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? What This Story Is About The man accused of hitting and killing a Nashville restaurant owner in 2024 pled guilty Wednesday. What Happens Next Ulises Martinez will serve 20 years in prison before being deported. For Context Martinez hit the owner of Smokin’ Thighs, Matthew Carney, with a pickup tr...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 22, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kassidy Brown at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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