One dead, another hurt, after FedEx truck flips off overpass
A truck driver has died and his co-driver was severely injured in Tennessee this morning when their truck crashed between two bridges and fell onto the roadway below.
Tennessee Highway Patrol investigating a fatal crash on hwy 394 in Blountville. Tractor trailer left I-81 and crashed on hwy 394 below. One also airlifted. @WJHL11 @ABCTriCities pic.twitter.com/eSERCnhYTB
— Ted Overbay (@overbay_ted) November 29, 2017
The crash happened just after 7 a.m. in Blountville.
Truck Crashes Off Of Overpass, Flips Onto Highway Below
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the FedEx truck was northbound on I-81 when the crash occurred. Police say that the truck driver somehow lost control near Exit 69 and crashed between the I-81 overpasses, falling onto Highway 394 below.
State route 394 will be shut down for a while due to our investigation on a commercial vehicle fatality. Please use caution in the area 👮🚔🚒🚑 pic.twitter.com/b6F1ridBZm
— THPFallBranch (@THPFallBranch) November 29, 2017
The crash “completely demolished” the cab of the truck, according to Tennessee troopers.
The driver of the truck passed away from injuries sustained in the crash. The co-driver, who was in the sleeper berth when the crash occurred, has been transported to the hospital and is listed in critical condition for possible head trauma.
SR 394 still closed beneath I-81. Please exercise extreme caution throug the area for our first Responders!🚔🚑🚒🚨one occupant confirmed dead. pic.twitter.com/pz8r9hHI1s
— THPFallBranch (@THPFallBranch) November 29, 2017
No other vehicles were involved in the crash and no other injuries were reported.
Investigators are unsure why the truck driver lost control.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation is reporting minor damage to the structure of the overpass.
Highway 394 is closed for clean up and investigation of the crash.