SPRINGFIELD, Tenn. – The driver of a tractor-trailer was critically injured in a crash involving two semi-trucks on Interstate 65 in Robertson County.
The incident happened around 11:20 p.m. Monday, at mile marker 110 on I-65 South. The crash caused southbound lanes to be closed for hours overnight, and the roadway wasn't completely clear until a little after 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Officials with Metro police said the wreck happened when the driver of a tractor trailer, identified as 55-year-old Danny Ray Batts, rear-ended another semi-truck, driven by 32-year-old Waleed Mikhail Youhanna.
Youhanna told authorities as he was going uphill he slowed down and turned his hazard lights on, and that's when he was hit from behind.
Batts was flown by helicopter to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he was last listed in critical condition.
Youhanna was also taken to the hospital, but the extent of his injuries was unknown.
According to reports, both drivers were wearing their seatbelt.
Police also said both drivers have been charged. Youhanna was charged with false report of driver record of duty status, and Batts has been charged with failure to exercise due care and expired registration.
Video from the scene showed one of the trucks looking like pile of twisted metal. Pieces of the trucks were seen littered across the roadway.
Fuel also spilled on the side of the road, which made the cleanup even more difficult.
Although the right lane finally reopened around 6 a.m. traffic was still heavily congested in the area.
