Accident Shuts Down Interstate; Prompts Chemical Clean-Up

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Sky 5 flies over accident that shuts down Interstate 40 near Crossville, Tenn. Traffic was unable to pass through the area on Saturday, July 12, 2008.

Haz-mat crews clean up the Titanium Tetrachloride that leaked onto the interstate.

CROSSVILLE, Tenn.- A major accident involving a tractor trailer shut down Interstate 40 near Crossville, Tenn. Saturday afternoon. Several people were transported to the hospital, and the highway is expected to be closed for several hours.

According to Cumberland County Emergency Management, both lanes will be closed well into the night and may not be cleared until Sunday morning. They have established a three mile no-fly zone over the crash site.

The tanker was carrying Titanium Tetrachloride, and officials said it would take hours to clean it all up.

TDOT estimated it would take drivers four hours at least to travel through that area in either direction if they were to take the detour of Highway 70 between mile markers 329 and 338. Instead, TDOT suggested drivers who are headed west bound in Knoxville take I-75 to Chattanooga, then I-24 to Nashville, then resume I-40 west.

Drivers who are headed east bound at mile marker 288 will take Highway 111 to Chattanooga, I-75 to Knoxville, then resume I-40 east bound.

Around 3:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon at mile 329 on Interstate 40 there was an accident involving a tractor trailer and three cars. Several people were transported to the hospital, but according to reports, none of those injuries were life threatening.

Officials said a safety perimeter was established, which means only first responders were allowed to come into the area. Jeremy Heidt, with TEMA said the chemical was leaking onto the interstate. Heidt said the chemical is flammable, corrosive, toxic if inhaled, and the vapors could easily be ignited.