One person has died following a massive fiery crash involving multiple commercial trucks Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 65 in Maury County, Tennessee,.
The crash occurred near mile marker 50 at the Kedron Road overpass in the Spring Hill area at approximately 2:30 p.m. and forced authorities to shut down Interstate 65 in both directions.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol described the collision as a “very serious crash” involving multiple commercial motor vehicles. At least one of the trucks caught fire following the collision, sending a large column of black smoke over the interstate.
Video and photographs from the scene showed multiple tractor-trailers heavily damaged and surrounded by flames as firefighters and other emergency personnel worked the scene.
Early reports varied slightly on the number of trucks involved. Some local reports indicated three commercial vehicles were involved, while others reported four large trucks. Authorities have consistently confirmed that multiple commercial vehicles were part of the crash.
The Spring Hill Fire Department initially reported that one person was unaccounted for as emergency crews worked through the wreckage. Later Tuesday, local reporting confirmed that one person had died and additional people were injured.
Authorities had not immediately released the victim’s identity or complete information about the other injuries.
Interstate Shut Down for Hours
The severity of the crash brought traffic on one of Middle Tennessee’s major north-south freight corridors to a standstill.
Southbound traffic was diverted near Exit 53, while northbound motorists were directed off I-65 near Exit 46 at State Route 99. Motorists were also directed toward Saturn Parkway and other alternate routes.
At approximately 3:45 p.m., officials reopened one northbound lane temporarily to allow vehicles trapped behind the crash scene to move through.
Officials warned that complete clearance could take until approximately midnight because investigators, emergency crews and contractors needed time to investigate the collision, remove the wreckage and repair pavement damaged by the crash and fire.
Crash Investigation Underway
The Tennessee Highway Patrol Crash Investigation and Reconstruction Team was called to assist with determining how the collision occurred.
THP, Spring Hill Police, Spring Hill Fire Department, EMS personnel and other agencies responded to the scene.
Authorities have not yet publicly established what caused the crash or released a detailed sequence showing how the commercial vehicles collided.
Because of the extensive fire damage and the number of commercial vehicles involved, investigators are expected to examine the physical crash scene along with the vehicles and other available evidence as they reconstruct the collision.
The crash caused significant delays throughout the Spring Hill and Maury County area Tuesday afternoon and evening.
This remains a developing story. TWOSU News will update this report as additional information is released by the Tennessee Highway Patrol and other investigating agencies.
