Afternoon drivers on Interstate 75 in Anderson County hit a full stop Monday when a fatal crash shut down every southbound lane near Rocky Top, choking traffic for miles. Local officials said the closure stretched along I-75 south between Exit 122 (State Route 61) and Exit 128 (U.S. 441) near mile marker 125, with emergency crews flooding the scene and motorists urged to bail out onto alternate routes while investigators worked.
Where and When the Crash Was Reported
Traffic-mapping data from the Tennessee Department of Transportation showed the wreck was reported at about 2:41 p.m. near mile marker 125, according to TDOT SmartWay. Local officials told WATE that all southbound lanes between Exit 122 and Exit 128 were shut down with no immediate estimate for when traffic would start moving again.
Officials and Investigation
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that the crash involved a tractor-trailer and noted that “there is currently no estimate for when the roadway might reopen,” according to WATE. County spokespeople told the station that the Tennessee Highway Patrol is handling the investigation into the fatal collision.
Traffic Impact
Drivers were pushed onto side roads as law enforcement, fire crews and tow operators worked to clear the wreckage. The SmartWay traffic feed and local dispatchers urged motorists to steer clear of the I-75 stretch near Rocky Top until lanes reopen, according to TDOT SmartWay. Travelers were warned to brace for delays on nearby state routes and to build in extra time for commutes through the Knoxville area.
A Familiar Bottleneck
This section of I-75 has a history of trouble, with repeated closures tied to crashes and hazmat spills in recent years that quickly ripple through regional commuter and freight traffic, as previous coverage by WVLT has shown. Officials have not yet released details about the victim or a firm reopening timeline. This story will be updated as new information becomes available.
