A FedEx driver has been cited for being fatigued after a crash involving multiple vehicles caused a major delay along Interstate 24 West on the southeast side of Nashville.
The incident was reported shortly after 6:30 a.m. Thursday at mile marker 61 near Old Hickory Boulevard.
AVOID I-24 WB FROM RUTHERFORD COUNTY - Sky5 sees this car fire & multi-vehicle crash just past OHB. #5LiveTraffic pic.twitter.com/bfxvh7I2zu
— Dave Nichols (@NC5_DaveNichols) May 5, 2016
Metro police said a FedEx truck slammed into one car, setting off a chain reaction. A total of eight cars were involved in the crash. Sky5 showed a car on fire with smoke and flames ripping into the ari.
"All hell broke lose," Richard Crosson said.
Crosson was hit by the FedEx truck. His car was wedged underneath and dragged down the road. The National Guardsman and military veteran quickly realized the driver in the burning car needed to be saved.
"He was dazed. He didn't know what he was doing or where he was at," said Crosson.
The veteran ran to the car and pulled the victim out before it exploded.
Thursday afternoon, officials confirmed the driver of the FedEx truck was given a citation for being fatigued during the crash. There was no word on how much the fine would cost. Authorities said that did not mean he had logged more than the 11 hours allowed in a single day, which is the maximum amount allowed by law.
Local Teamsters 480 is a union for truck drivers. The President said companies constantly push truck drivers to the limit.
"It's very widespread in our industry," Lendon Grisham said. "I get calls from drivers all the time that are looking for a union job, or wanting to unionize their company just because they're being pressured to break the law."
Truck drivers are required to only drive 11 hours a day and must take at least 10 hours off. Grisham claimed some companies not represented by unions don't follow those rules as much as they should.
"Combined with all the traffic, the irregular hours of working and driving, fatigue is certainly a factor for today's truck driver," Grisham added.
Representatives with FedEx released the following statement Thursday afternoon:
"We are aware of the accident on I-24 in Nashville and are cooperating fully with authorities as they investigate the cause of the accident. The investigation has not been completed, but we can confirm that anyone providing service on behalf of FedEx is expected to obey all traffic laws in safely operating their vehicles."
At this point, authorities have not released who is to blame for the crash. Four people were injured, but they have all been treated and released.
