Dale Phipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

Four tractor trailers, listed in detail in the tables below but referred to as vehicles #1-4 in this narrative, were all traveling in the right southbound lane in that respective order. Vehicle #1 slowed suddenly due to the actions of other traffic ahead. Vehicle #2 slowed behind it. Vehicle #3 was unable to stop and rear-ended vehicle #2, knocking it forward into vehicle #1. Vehicle #3 then jack-knifed across the roadway. Vehicle #4 was unable to stop and ran into the jack-knifed trailer of vehicle #3.

Vehicle #1 sustained functional damage and could be driven from the scene. Driver #1 sustained suspected minor injuries.

Vehicle #2 sustained disabling damage and had to be towed from the scene. Driver #2 sustained suspected minor injuries.

Vehicle #3 sustained disabling damage and had to be towed from the scene. Driver #3 sustained suspected major injuries and had to be med-flighted by WINGS Air Rescue to an area hospital for emergency medical treatment. While his injuries appeared serious, they were not believed to be life-threatening.

Vehicle #4 sustained disabling damage and had to be towed from the scene. Driver #4 was not injured.

As of the time of issuance of this news release, traffic in the area continues to be affected as crews are still on scene attempting to remove one of the tractor-trailers. Area motorists and media representatives are referred to TDOT for updated traffic status conditions from this point forward.

This crash remains under active investigation by the K.P.D. Traffic Unit. Anyone who may have witnessed this crash, who has not yet spoken to law enforcement, is asked to contact Crash Investigators at 423-224-2750.

As previously released:

On August 28, 2021 at approximately 4:20 PM, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers responded to a serious multi-tractor trailer crash on Interstate 81 near exit 59 (Colonial Heights/SR36/Fort Henry Drive) in Kingsport. While the crash is primarily on the southbound side, the northbound lanes are also affected.

Traffic has already become extremely congested in the area and will likely remain that way for an extended period of time. Complete lane closures in both directions are anticipated to allow for care and transportation of the injured, the clearing of vehicles, and a thorough investigation of the crash.

Motorists are asked to avoid this area and seek an alternate route. Anyone already in the immediate area should exercise caution and patience, and obey all traffic instructions. No further information involving the crash itself is available at this time. Further details will be shared as they become available, but only at an appropriate point in the investigation.

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-343-9749 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton