ROANE COUNTY, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) – Two tractor-trailer drivers have been charged following a crash that shut down a stretch of Interstate 40 in Roane County for several hours Tuesday morning, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
A preliminary THP report states that 41-year-old Paul Mendez of Indiana was driving a tractor-trailer westbound on I-40 near mile marker 355 when he approached congested traffic and began slowing down.
Troopers said a second tractor-trailer, driven by 48-year-old Zoran Galic of Illinois, struck the rear of Mendez’s truck.
The crash occurred just before 10 a.m. and forced the closure of the westbound lanes of I-40. According to Tennessee Department of Transportation spokesperson Mark Nagi, traffic was heavily impacted as crews worked to clear the scene and investigate the collision.
All westbound lanes remained closed for several hours and were not fully reopened until shortly before 1 p.m.
According to the THP report, Galic was charged with following too closely, while Mendez was charged with driving on a suspended license.
Both drivers suffered injuries in the crash. A passenger riding in Mendez’s tractor-trailer was also injured. The extent of their injuries was not immediately released.
No additional information about the crash or the condition of those involved has been made available.
The investigation remains ongoing.
