KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A hazmat incident shut down I-40 East for three hours in Jefferson County and caused major traffic congestion in Dandridge on Friday morning, according to the Tennesee Highway Patrol.
All lanes reopened on I-40 East as of 1 p.m. and there is no danger to the public, according to Dandridge Fire Chief Andrew Riley.
The incident occurred around 4:22 a.m. The driver of the tractor-trailer claims a car was merging onto the interstate and struck the tractor-trailer. The driver swerved and caused the second trailer to "fish-tail" and flip onto its passenger side, according to THP.
The tractor-trailer was transporting "several types of acids as well as non-harmful chemicals," THP said.
Jefferson County Fire and Hazmat tried to find the leak and determine its cause, according to THP.
Riley said the hazmat mitigation company expected the clean-up to last two to three hours.
There were reports of very heavy congestion in the area of Dandridge, according to Jefferson County dispatch. In order to ease up the congestion, DPD asked the public to avoid traveling downtown if possible.