Traffic Trouble in Knoxville: Multi-Vehicle Crashes Cause Disruptions and Heartbreak

Traffic jam in Knoxville with emergency services present

News Summary

Knoxville is facing significant traffic challenges this week due to a series of multi-vehicle crashes, resulting in severe disruptions and tragic fatalities. The chaos began with a major accident on the Governor John Sevier Highway, causing extensive delays, followed by a deadly incident on I-40 East involving a rear-end collision that claimed two lives. Additional traffic issues persisted throughout the weekend and into Monday, prompting advice for drivers to seek alternate routes. These events underline the vital need for road safety awareness among commuters.

Traffic Trouble in Knoxville: Multi-Vehicle Crashes Cause Disruptions and Heartbreak

Knoxville has seen its fair share of challenges this week, with a series of multi-vehicle crashes causing significant traffic disruptions and, sadly, some fatalities. Just when locals thought they could breathe easy, the roads became the scene of chaos and tragedy.

Highway Closure and Traffic Jams

On Monday afternoon, the Governor John Sevier Highway was brought to a standstill due to a serious accident near the intersection with Maryville Pike in South Knox County. The crash was reported at approximately 4:38 p.m. Eastern Time and caused traffic snarls stretching all the way back to Alcoa Highway in one direction and to West Martin Mill Pike in the other.

As drivers sat in their cars, frustration mounted and patience was tested, but thankfully, relief came around 6:18 p.m. when the highway was finally reopened. However, details surrounding the crash remained murky, with no immediate information regarding injuries or the cause of the incident.

A Deadly Encounter

I-40 East resulted in the tragic loss of life and left many shaken. The accident took place just west of Midway Road shortly after 5:30 a.m., starting off with a rear-end collision between two eastbound vehicles. This led to one vehicle overturning across the highway, creating a perilous situation.

As luck would have it, a passerby stopped to lend a hand, but this noble act took a devastating turn when their vehicle was struck by a Priority Ambulance rushing to a call. In the aftermath, both the passerby, 45-year-old Juan Carlos Herrera Gomez from Knoxville, and the driver of the stationary vehicle, 76-year-old Lee Boone from Virginia, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Aftermath

The situation turned even more complicated when a woman driving the overturned vehicle was ejected during the crash. She was swiftly transported to UT Medical Center with severe injuries. Authorities suspect she was driving under the influence and have charged her with DUI.

Fortunately, the members of the ambulance crew were only reported to have sustained minor injuries, and thankfully, there were no patients in the ambulance at the time. In response to the tragic event, the ambulance service expressed their sadness and emphasized they are actively cooperating with authorities during the ongoing investigation.

More Trouble on the Roads

I-40 West near Cedar Bluff Road. The crash occurred around 6:36 p.m., reinforcing the struggles on Knoxville’s roads. By 7:15 p.m., all but one lane was closed, leading to an impressive five-mile backup.

Commuters were advised to seek alternate routes, perhaps via Kingston Pike or Middlebrook Pike, as traffic crawled at a frustrating pace. While details regarding the cause and number of vehicles involved were not immediately available, the situation did get cleared later that evening.