A major vehicular accident involving an overturned semi truck and a pickup has caused a significant shutdown on Interstate 40 in Bellevue. The collision early this morning brought traffic to a standstill in both directions near mile marker 195, close to the exit for Hwy. 70. A semi, which was hauling a large load of flour, flipped on the roadway, spilling its contents and bringing eastbound and westbound lanes to a halt, as reported by FOX17.
The situation began to unfold around 5 a.m. near the 193 mile marker, just between Newsome Station and McCrory Lane exits. While the eastbound side of I-40 was completely closed, traffic on I-40 west was able to slowly move forward in one lane. By 7 a.m., all lanes had been reopened, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Commuters were advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes as to not further exacerbate traffic congestion, as per details from WKRN.
The truck's driver was successfully rescued from the wreckage with injuries that were determined to be non-life-threatening. Meanwhile, authorities are actively searching for the driver of the red pickup involved in the crash, who is reported to have fled the scene following the incident. Metro police are continuing their investigation into the cause of the crash and circumstances surrounding the pickup driver's disappearance, based on information obtained by WSMV.
Cleanup crews worked diligently to clear the substantial amount of flour that had spilled onto the interstate, which was expected to cause significant delays. As of now, traffic is still anticipated to be heavily impacted for some time. Those commuting in the area should prepare for a potentially slow journey and stay informed on updates as the situation develops.
