A tractor-trailer crash on I-640 East near Gap Road spilled fuel and shut down multiple lanes Tuesday evening, pulling Knoxville's HazMat crews into an hours-long cleanup and investigation. Drivers were urged to steer clear of the stretch while responders worked to contain the leak and reopen the roadway. Officials did not immediately offer a timeline for when traffic would return to normal.
TRAFFIC ALERT: Multiple lanes of I-640 East are blocked due to a crash near Gap Road involving a tractor trailer that is leaking fuel. KFD Hazmat is on scene. Expect delays in the area and seek alternate routes if possible. pic.twitter.com/vGU7UxFGxA
— Knoxville Police TN (@Knoxville_PD) April 28, 2026
What officials said
The Knoxville Police Department told WBIR that a tractor-trailer was leaking fuel on I-640 East near Gap Road and that the Knoxville Fire Department HazMat team was called in. KPD said several lanes were blocked at the scene while investigators and cleanup crews worked to secure the area and deal with the spill.
Not the first HazMat response
Knoxville has seen this kind of commercial-vehicle hazmat trouble before. In July 2024, a leakage incident triggered lane closures and a coordinated response from multiple agencies, along with public-health precautions for nearby residents and drivers. That earlier episode was detailed in coverage of a July 2024 spill that forced lane closures and a multi-agency cleanup.
Traffic impact and detours
According to WBIR, drivers were told to use alternate routes while responders managed the spill. The station shared a TDOT photo showing emergency vehicles blocking multiple lanes on the eastbound side. Motorists were warned to expect delays across the I-640 eastbound corridor as cleanup and traffic control operations continued.
How to stay safe
If you have to travel through the area, plan for extra drive time, follow posted detours and any instructions from officials, and do not stop or slow down to look at the crash site. Local traffic feeds and agency channels will carry the latest updates on lane reopenings and any health advisories connected to the fuel leak.
