An accident near Murfreesboro that involved several vehicles, including two semi trucks, and claimed two lives occurred at approximately 12:15 a.m. on June 13. Drivers on the stretch of Interstate 24 in Rutherford County were reportedly moving at a slower than usual speed when the complex crash occurred as there had been a previous accident. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the truck accident occurred when the driver of one of the tractor trailers overturned as he tried to stop in time to avoid the slower vehicles.
The out-of-control truck then careened into about eight other vehicles, two of which immediately caught on fire. The driver and a passenger in one car were both killed, and sheriff’s deputies were able to pull two other people to safety. According to authorities, the two young people who died were en route to the Bonnaroo music festival.
There were five people injured in the fiery crash altogether, and the driver of the semi was uninjured as were six other people involved in the pileup. Police cited the semi driver for failure to exercise due care, and other charges are reportedly pending against him. Part of Interstate 24 remained closed during the morning rush hour while the scene was cleared.
The fact that this truck driver was cited could possibly mean that he was driving at either too high a rate of speed for the conditions or that he was distracted while driving, and he may face criminal charges due to the fatalities. An accident involving so many vehicles, including two large trucks, will need close examination as to cause and the damages that might be owed to the people injured and the families of those who died. An experienced personal injury attorney may be able to evaluate the details of the police investigation in order to discern a clearer picture of the events that transpired.
Source: WBKO, “2 killed in 10-vehicle crash near Murfressboro, TN“, Associated press, June 13, 2013