Authorities Seek Public's Assistance to Find Truck Driver Linked to Major I-81 Hit-and-Run Incident

Share and Follow

GREENE COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Authorities are appealing to the community for assistance in identifying a commercial truck driver suspected of causing a hit-and-run accident on Interstate 81 in Greene County. This incident reportedly left a woman with significant injuries.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security revealed in a statement that the collision occurred on Wednesday, November 5, at around 7 a.m. on the southbound lanes of I-81 near mile marker 47.

“Early reports suggest that a passenger vehicle was stopped on the right emergency shoulder,” the statement detailed. “The vehicle’s driver was in the process of changing a rear tire when a passing tractor-trailer collided with the vehicle. This impact resulted in the victim being struck by her own car, causing her to be thrown from the spot and suffer severe injuries.”

Photo: THP

Witnesses told investigators they observed the crash while driving behind the tractor-trailer. They noted that the truck initially pulled over as they stopped to assist the injured woman. However, the statement described that “after a brief period,” the witness saw the truck driver leave the scene, continuing south on I-81.

Authorities report the driver of the tractor-trailer never got out of the truck.

“The only description available for the suspect vehicle is a [commercial vehicle] hauling a white box trailer,” the release states. “The tractor-trailer may have sustained damage to its right side, potentially near the rear axles of the tractor or the front of the box trailer.”

Anyone with information regarding the crash and the commercial vehicle driver involved is urged to contact the THP’s Emergency Dispatch Communications Center at (865) 895-6950 and request to speak with Sgt. Jonathan Scott.