1 flown to hospital following Putnam County multi-vehicle crash on I-40

PUTNAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Interstate 40 was shut down for several hours Wednesday morning due to a chain-reaction crash in Putnam County that sent one person to the hospital.

According to Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), shortly before 3:45 a.m. on Wednesday, April 10, a 2018 Freightliner Cascadia 126 was heading west in the outside lane of I-40 near mile marker 275 when it was rear-ended by a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500, which became lodged under the back of the 2018 Freightliner’s trailer.

Shortly afterward, officials said a 2022 Freightliner AA — which was also traveling in the outside lane — came upon the crash site and swerved in order to avoid the other vehicles, but it hit the Dodge, causing the 2022 Freightliner’s cab to separate from the frame and come to a final rest in the median.

THP said the 34-year-old Tennessean driving the Dodge was not injured, but the passenger — described as a 30-year-old California man — was flown from the scene to the hospital due to the nature of his injuries. There is no word on the passenger’s condition at this time.

Meanwhile, the 32-year-old North Carolina man driving the 2018 Freightliner was not hurt, according to authorities. As for the Tennessean driving the 2022 Freightliner, he reportedly sustained minor injuries, but he was cleared by EMS.

THP said everyone involved in the crash was wearing their seatbelt at the time. No charges are pending in connection with this incident.

Officials said crews blocked both lanes of I-40 due to the extent of the vehicles and debris along the road. However, the interstate opened back up shortly after 8 a.m.