THP reports four deaths in separate interstate crashes in Smith County

BUFFALO VALLEY, Tenn. (WSMV) – Two fatal crashes forced the Tennessee Department of Transportation to close the highway in Smith County Tuesday evening.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol responded to two separate crashes and found that each incident resulted in multiple fatalities.

THP reported the first crash occurred on I-40 West near mile marker 263 just after 7:30 p.m. Investigation shows a 23-year-old was driving west on I-40 in a Honda Civic with three passengers when the driver struck a Kenworth. tractor-trailer and lost control. The Civic left the road, drove off the bridge and landed upside down in the Caney Fork River.

The driver and a passenger were injured in the fall, but the two other passengers were killed. They were 34 and 25 years old, but their names were not released. A report is pending against the driver. The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured.

About an hour later, as cars were stopped for the first crash, 32-year-old James Hillard was driving a Ford van when he rear-ended a stopped Chevrolet Equinox, killing 69-year-old Glenda Tidwell and 42-year-old Glenda Tidwell. came to life. Wendy Tidwell.

Hillard’s van then struck an International tractor-trailer from behind and burst into flames. Hillard, a native of North Carolina, was injured in both collisions. The driver of the semi was not injured.

Charges are pending against Hillard.

TDOT closed all westbound lanes of I-40 until approximately 3:15 a.m. due to these fatal incidents