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Fiery Tanker Truck Crash Shuts Down Interstate

Posted at 3:19 AM, Oct 21, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-21 16:17:35-04

Interstate 40 was shut down in both directions after a vehicle fire covered multiple lanes of traffic.

The fire was first reported at 2:45 a.m. Saturday on Interstate 40 East at mile marker 206, just after the Interstate 440 merge.

The crash involved a car and a tanker truck, but officers said it wasn't immediately clear who was at fault. Witnesses on the scene said the driver of the car allegedly hit the semi.

The cab of the tanker truck went over the bridge and landed on Heiman Street, but the tanker did not leave the interstate. The Nashville Fire Department said the tanker was transporting 8,500 gallons of gasoline, which spilled onto the road and caught on fire.

No serious injuries were reported.

There was an outstanding warrant on the driver of the car, but police did not immediately give details about the warrant. Officers were seen conducting a DUI test with the driver on the scene.

Both eastbound and westbound lanes were shut down while crews tried to put out the flames. The westbound lanes reopened around 5:30 a.m. Saturday. TDOT said the eastbound lanes were clear by 3 p.m.