Fatal Crash on I-24 Leaves Two Dead, Two Injured
HARRIMAN, Tenn. — A tragic crash in a construction zone on Interstate 24 claimed the lives of two people and left two others critically injured on Tuesday afternoon.
The accident occurred just after 3 p.m. near Exit 105, where traffic had slowed due to ongoing roadwork. According to investigators, a passenger van traveling eastbound failed to reduce speed and slammed into the back of a slowed-down truck in the right lane.
The violent impact crushed the front of the van, instantly killing two of its occupants. Authorities confirmed that the driver and another passenger in the same van survived but sustained life-threatening injuries. Both were transported by air ambulance to a regional trauma center.
Witnesses reported chaotic scenes as emergency responders rushed to the site. “It happened so fast,” said one motorist who was traveling just a few cars behind the crash. “The van didn’t seem to brake at all before it hit the truck. It was horrifying.”
The driver of the truck that was rear-ended allegedly left the scene before police arrived. Investigators launched a search and later located the man, identified as Robert Mendez, 56, of Florida, several miles away. He was taken into custody and has been charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident, though officials have not announced whether additional charges will be filed.
Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers spent several hours reconstructing the crash, closing down two lanes of I-24 and causing heavy backups stretching for miles. Tow trucks eventually cleared the wreckage, and the highway was reopened late Tuesday evening.
“This is an incredibly tragic event, and our thoughts are with the victims and their families,” said Sgt. Angela Carter of the THP. “We want to remind drivers to slow down and remain alert, especially in construction zones where traffic patterns can change suddenly.”
The investigation into the crash remains ongoing. Authorities are reviewing dashcam footage and interviewing witnesses to determine the sequence of events leading up to the collision.
For now, the community mourns the loss of two lives cut short in what officials are calling a preventable tragedy.