A 19-year-old Murfreesboro driver was killed Sunday after a head-on crash on Interstate 840 in Rutherford County that shut down the roadway for a time and left another driver injured. Troopers with the Tennessee Highway Patrol responded to the scene and say the investigation is still in its early stages as they work to understand what played out in the eastbound lanes.
THP preliminary report
According to a preliminary report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, a Nissan Altima crossed the median on I-840 east and hit a Saturn Outlander head-on, killing the Altima's 19-year-old driver, Brookelyn Whitaker, and injuring the Saturn's driver, as reported by WSMV. Troopers say the investigation is ongoing and have not released details about what may have caused the Altima to cross the median or updated the injured driver's condition.
Another closure on a busy stretch
The wreck forced temporary lane closures and significant delays around Murfreesboro while first responders worked the scene and crews cleared debris. NewsChannel 5 has reported on previous deadly crashes along SR-840 near Murfreesboro, and WGNS covered a February collision between two tractor-trailers that also shut I-840 down for hours. Together, those incidents show how quickly a serious crash on this corridor can snarl traffic and pull in multiple agencies.
How to get the official crash report
Family members or other authorized representatives who need the official crash report can request a copy online through the state’s crash report portal, which outlines the process and fees, according to the Tennessee crash report site. Additional details from the Tennessee Highway Patrol are expected as the investigation moves forward.
WSMV reporter Caleb Wethington first published the preliminary information from the Tennessee Highway Patrol. This story will be updated as officials release more details. Our thoughts are with Whitaker's family and with those injured in the crash.
