A truck driver is being investigated for criminal negligence for his role in a crash that killed a Tennessee Department of Transportation worker and hurt three other people in Hickman County this morning.
TDOT Workers Stopped For Flat Tire
The crash happened around 9:45 a.m. in the westbound lanes of I-40 at mile marker 156. A team of two TDOT trucks was reportedly on the way to a maintenance job when one of the trucks got a flat tire. All of the workers were out of the trucks as they worked to change the tire.
According to police, a tractor trailer left its lane and struck one of the TDOT trucks, sending it crashing into one of the TDOT workers. Then the tractor trailer hit the other TDOT truck and rolled over.
The TDOT worker who was hit by the truck died. Two other TDOT workers were taken to the hospital with injuries. The truck driver was also transported to the hospital.
THP: Crash Was A Case Of Criminal Negligence By Truck Driver
The Tennessee Highway Patrol called the crash a clear violation of the “Move Over” law on the part of the truck driver. They are moving forward with a criminal investigation.
It is unclear why the truck driver left his lane.
The crash caused heavy traffic backups in the westbound lanes. Eastbound lanes were also slow because of rubbernecking.
Saddened to learn that a TDOT worker was killed in this wreck today. It’s so important to #MoveOver for workers @NC5 pic.twitter.com/45wRnv95jS
— Chris Conte (@chrisconte) April 28, 2016
Sources:
WKRN
Fox 17
News Channel 5