There was a fatal wreck on I-24 in Murfreesboro on Thursday morning shortly after midnight. Two people were killed in the 10-vehicle wreck at the South Church Street exit in the East Bound Lane.
A tractor trailer truck hit multiple vehicles when the driver was unable to stop in time for slowed traffic because of a previous wreck at mile marker 89. Two of the cars involved in the fatal wreck went up in flames in a matter of seconds and state troopers and sheriff deputies were able to extinguish one fire, but the second roared out of control. It was in that second vehicle that two persons died.
In addition to the two fatal accident victims, three people were taken to Vanderbilt Medical Center by way of helicopter and two more were taken by ambulance to Vanderbilt. The names of the victims who died in the fiery crash have not been released. We do know that some of those involved in the wreck were headed to Bonnaroo.
The Murfreesboro Fire Department Reports:
MFRD Districts 1, 2, 9, Rescue 8, and several key staff members responded to a fatal multi-vehicle accident on I-24 approximately 500 yards from the Exit 81-A off ramp around 12:15 Thursday morning.
At least eight vehicles and two tractor trailers were involved in the incident according to Acting Shift Commander Jeff Day. Two vehicles became trapped under the two tractor trailers. Two passengers were extricated from one vehicle and the driver of another was also extricated.
One vehicle was fully engulfed in flames when crews arrived on scene.
At this time, there are two confirmed fatalities. Names of the victims are not being released pending notification of next of kin. At least three victims were Life lighted from the scene, and several others were transported via ambulance to area hospitals.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department, Rutherford County EMS, and Murfreesboro Police Department all responded to the scene. Statements are expected to come from the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s spokesperson.
Tennessee Department of Safety Released the Following:
Numerous state agencies, local law enforcement officials and emergency first responders have responded to the scene of a deadly crash that occurred during the early morning hours on Thursday, June 13, 2013 in Rutherford County. The crash occurred on Interstate 24 eastbound near mile marker 81 at approximately 12:19 a.m.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is the lead agency in the crash investigation. The Tennessee Department of Transportation, along with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, Murfreesboro Police Department, Rutherford County Emergency Management Agency, Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue are assisting.
As of 3 a.m (CDT), preliminary details on the Thursday morning incident are as follows:
* At approximately 12:19 a.m. on Thursday, a crash involving 10 vehicles (9 contact; 1 non-contact), including two tractor trailers and seven passenger vehicles, occurred on I24 EB mm 81 in Rutherford County.
* Traffic was congested and had come to a stop due to previous crash on Interstate 24 EB at mm 89 on Wednesday night at approximately 7:24 p.m. All eastbound lanes were closed due to crash investigation and post-crash clean up and were reopened at approximately 11:20 p.m. on Wednesday night.
* Preliminary information on Thursday morning's crash indicates that traffic congestion from previous crash (Wednesday) had caused traffic to come to a stop; a tractor trailer was unable to stop in time and struck multiple vehicles.
* One vehicle became fully engulfed in flames.
* Two confirmed fatalities, three subjects transported by LifeFlight to Vanderbilt Medical Center, two subjects transported by EMS-ground to Vanderbilt Medical Center, eight subjects not transported.
* Interstate 24 eastbound lanes are shut down between 80 mm and 81 mm. Traffic is being rerouted off of Interstate 24 EB at 80 mile marker. As of 3:30 am, there is no traffic congestion due to crash.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol will release a crash report once the preliminary investigation is complete.
