GREENE COUNTY, Tenn. — Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers said an "active investigation" into a hit-and-run closed Interstate 81 South in Greene County at the exit to West Andrew Johnson Highway.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation reported the closure around 1 p.m. Traffic was backed up for nearly 7 miles on the southbound side between mile markers 21 and 30.
THP said an air ambulance was called in because there were injuries in the hit-and-run incident.
As of 3 p.m., the interstate was open to traffic again. The closure also backed up traffic on West Andrew Johnson Highway heading north toward Bulls Gap as traffic diverted around the closure.
In a preliminary report, they said David Davis, 29, was facing charges of vehicular assault, DUI and leaving the scene. They said he was driving behind the second car when they were involved in a rear-end collision. They said both cars stopped in the right shoulder of I-81 South.
The driver and passenger of the second car left the vehicle as Davis tried to drive away, THP said. The driver and passenger tried to stop him when Davis opened the driver's side door and pushed the other driver to the ground.
The report said Davis hit the car again as he tried to drive away. His car was later spotted at a gas station in Jefferson County and was arrested.
This story is developing and will be updated as new information is available.