KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knoxville Police Department said a pedestrian died after a crash on eastbound Interstate 40 Friday afternoon.
Edward William Abrams, a 49-year-old from Knoxville, died after a tractor-trailer hit him just east of Papermill Drive, KPD said.
Police responded to the call at around 3:08 p.m., according to KPD. They said a preliminary investigation showed Abrams ran into the road "for reasons that remain unknown" and was then hit by a tractor-trailer. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a release.
Police closed several of the lanes on the highway Friday afternoon as they worked on the crash. The lanes were back open by around 5:45 p.m.
Authorities said they were continuing to investigate the crash late Friday afternoon.