Traffic on I-640 ground to a halt Thursday night after a motorcyclist was fatally injured in a crash near the Broadway exit, according to the Knoxville Police Department. The collision happened in the eastbound lanes, and the rider was taken from the scene and later pronounced dead at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Several lanes were shut down while officers, medics and investigators worked to clear the area.
According to WVLT, KPD communications manager Scott Erland said crash reconstruction personnel believe the motorcycle "swiped another vehicle" before colliding with the barrier wall. The other vehicle had only minor damage, and its occupants were reported uninjured, Erland told the station.
Crash Details And Investigation
The Knoxville Police Department said its crash reconstruction team is leading the inquiry and that detectives are processing the scene and reviewing any available video. Per the Knoxville Police Department, investigators have not yet released additional information about the rider or the exact sequence of events that led to the initial contact between vehicles. The investigation remains active.
Recent Motorcycle Crashes In Knox County
This wreck is the latest serious motorcycle crash reported in the area this spring. WVLT previously covered separate deadly motorcycle collisions in April that sent riders to UT Medical Center, underscoring a recent run of dangerous crashes on local roads.
Anyone who witnessed this crash or has video is asked to contact the Knoxville Police Department's non-emergency line at 865-215-4010 or leave an anonymous tip with East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165. The department's phone numbers and tip options are listed on the Knoxville Police Department site, and authorities say tips and camera footage can be important in reconstruction and in determining what happened.
