KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Several more crashes caused closures along sections of Interstate 40 in Knoxville and Knox County overnight after a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain fell on a snow-covered East Tennessee.
TDOT reported the crash on I-40 East in the East Knoxville corridor near the I-640 interchange and Chilhowee Drive. I-40 East was closed around 12:20 a.m. Friday at mile marker 393 as crews worked to clear the crash, and traffic was backing up to the Rutledge Pike exit.
As of 1 a.m., the interstate had reopened to traffic.
A few minutes later, another crash was reported on I-40 East in East Knox County near Midway at mile marker 401. The crash blocked the right lane and right shoulder.
A few other crashes were reported earlier Thursday night as sleet fell in the downtown Knoxville corridor near the Alcoa Highway and 17th Street exits. Those crashes were later cleared and didn't impact traffic much.
As for Friday morning, there weren't any significant wrecks on I-40.
TDOT Community Relations Officer Mark Nagi said there are three wrecked tractor-trailers on I-75 North at MM 133, near the Caryville exit.
One tractor-trailer is in the median and two are off to the right side. Nagi said the trucks will be recovered Friday or Saturday and delays are possible.
Drivers across East Tennessee are warned to exercise extreme caution and not head out on the roads early Friday morning due to a wintry mix and freezing rain that created dangerous patches of ice on the roads.
Loudon County Sheriff Jimmy Davis sent WBIR a picture Friday morning showing how slick and icy roads are. This is Hickory Creek Road in Lenior City.
"The roads are really dangerous," Davis said. "It could really help us out if people don't have to get out."
"Travel is not recommended tonight in many spots in East Tennessee due to freezing rain and icy road conditions. We have already seen multiple crashes in Knox, Roane, Campbell and Loudon counties. Stay off the roads," TDOT said.