THP update and summary of the I-40 285 mm crashes:
On January 15 at approximately 12:57 PM, troopers in the THP Cookeville District responded to a report of multiple vehicle crashes on Interstate 40 westbound near the 285-mile marker. The crashes were caused by a sudden snowstorm that moved through the area quickly. Roadways became slick within minutes, creating extremely slick driving conditions.
The incidents resulted in a chain reaction totaling 11 crashes. Of those, three involved injuries and eight were property damage only. No fatalities were reported. Eight commercial vehicles were involved in the incident.
The roadway was shut down until approximately 5:50 PM. Prior to reopening the interstate, TDOT treated the roadway to address any remaining slick areas.