(MURFREESBORO)  Two separate interstate crashes brought Friday (10/9/2020) evening drive-time traffic to a halt. A 43-year old Hartsville man was killed and a 17-year old Murfreesboro teen received serious injuries. 

Jonathan Walker died in a livestock tractor-trailer crash and fire on Interstate 24 westbound (toward Nashville) about 5:45PM. This deadly accident happened at the 72-mile marker, between Interstate 840 and Almaville Road.

Tennessee Highway Patrol PIO John Grinder told WGNS that the cattle truck was traveling in the outside westbound lane of Interstate 24 in Rutherford County and a 2008 Honda Accord was in the middle lane. 

The small car, driven by a 17-year old Murfreesboro teenager, attempted to merge right at the same time as another vehicle. He over corrected, spun out of control and struck the cable barrier before spinning back in front of the large truck. Both vehicles came to an uncontrolled final rest on the right shoulder of the roadway in the tree line.

The Rutherford County Sheriffs Office reported that the truck was hauling cattle. It burst into flames and the livestock escaped and began roaming the median of the interstate.

The highway patrol confirmed that all cattle were accounted for after deputies corralled them into a nearby field. 

EMS paramedics treated the Murfreesboro teen while Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue extinguished the blaze.

Sheriff’s Sgt. David Alford said one lane was re-opened around 6:30 Friday night, and westbound traffic on I-24 (mm 72) started moving again at a very slow pace.

Second Crash at 6:33PM (I-840)

A second crash occurred in the same vicinity, but on I-840 westbound at exit 53 (off ramp to I-24). Both lanes of traffic on I-840 traffic were impacted since the off-ramp was blocked. 

Once again, 43-year old Jonathan Walker from Hartsville died when the cattle truck in which he was driving crashed and caught fire.

The only other person involved in the Friday evening crash was a 17-year old teen from Murfreesboro. He was driving a Honda Accord and sustained serious injuries.

At this time, the teen's name is not being released. 

NewsRadio WGNS will keep you informed. 

Case #320057790