According to Metro police, two people were killed in a car accident that occurred on westbound Interstate 24 north of downtown Nashville on Dec. 2 just after 5 p.m. The 3-vehicle collision happened when a 29-year-old man driving a tractor-trailer allegedly veered across the grassy median and struck a FedEx truck, causing both vehicles to burst into flames. The driver of the FedEx truck has been identified as a 52-year-old man from Villa Grove, Illinois. Due to the severity of the burns, positive identification will be made through dental records.
The third vehicle that was involved was a BMW sedan; the 29-year-old male driver sustained non-critical injuries and was treated at Skyline Medical Center. Both lanes on the interstate were closed for several hours at mile marker 44, just south of Briley Parkway and west of Interstate 65. The interstate was reopened the same evening around 10 p.m.
While police have reported that there was no indication that impairment played a role in causing the crash, they are still investigating why the tractor-trailer crossed over the median. When a collision involves a semi-truck, the trucking companies representing the employees might work with authorities to determine what factors contributed to the wreck. Often, companies will keep information on hand that could be useful in assisting the police investigation such as records of vehicle maintenance or any history of defective auto parts that were previously replaced on the truck.
It is possible that the family members of the victim from FedEx may attempt to hold the trucking company that the 29-year-old worked for responsible for a wrongful death. If an attorney can show that negligence was a role of the semi-truck accident, the company may offer a settlement that would help the family pay for medical expenses or damages that were incurred.
Source: WRCB, “2 killed in fiery crash on I-24 W; interstate now open“, Kara Apel, December 03, 2014