A Saturday afternoon ride on I-40 West turned into a life-altering tragedy for a 16-year-old Knoxville boy, who lost both feet after a single-vehicle motorcycle crash just past North Cherry Street. Several westbound lanes were shut down for more than an hour, sending traffic into a miles-long crawl while first responders worked the scene. The teen was rushed to a hospital in critical condition, and authorities have not publicly released his name.
How the crash unfolded
According to WBIR, the rider underwent amputations of both feet following the single-vehicle crash on I-40 West past North Cherry Street. Crews closed multiple lanes while emergency personnel stabilized the teen and cleared debris from the highway.
Traffic jam and police response
The Knoxville Police Department issued a traffic alert noting officers were on scene, and lanes were blocked, as reported by WVLT. By about 4:30 p.m., three westbound lanes were still closed, and backups stretched nearly to Rutledge Pike, turning the interstate into a slow-moving parking lot.
Motorcycle safety backdrop in Tennessee
Data from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office shows 199 motorcyclist fatalities in FFY 2023 and outlines outreach and enforcement programs aimed at bringing those numbers down.
Investigation still underway
Knoxville police say crash investigators are working to determine how the wreck occurred, and officials have not released further details. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
