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THP: Driver and passenger charged after crashing into TDOT queue truck on I-40

The crash happened at 11:23 a.m. on the I-40 East off-ramp at Exit 435. There were four cars involved in the crash.

COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. — Two people are charged after being involved in a crash on I-40 East Friday morning, according to a report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol. 

The crash happened at 11:23 a.m. on the I-40 East off-ramp at Exit 435. There were four cars involved in the crash. 

The first car, driven by Brandon Matthews from Texas, was traveling east on I-40 at Exit 435 when the traffic was starting to slow down. 

At the same time, a TDOT queue truck was parked in the exit split at the exit. The truck had its message board and all of its warning signs activated, according to the report. 

Matthews went from the first lane to the off-ramp, driving through an exit split and striking the queue truck in the rear at an angle, according to the report. After crashing into it, he traveled across the on-ramp and ran off of the road striking a highway traffic exit sign. 

Credit: Mark Nagi - TDOT

At the same time, a third car, driven by Gilliam Butler, and a fourth car, driven by Gabrielle Groff, was already on the on-ramp exiting the interstate. Butler was driving in front of Groff, THP said. 

Due to the first crash, the path of the TDOT queue, and the debris being thrown from the crash, Butler braked hard and came to a stop. 

Debris from the first crash that struck Butler's vehicle, caused Groff to strike him in the rear. 

According to the report, Matthews was charged with driving on roadways laned for traffic, due care and not wearing a seatbelt. The passenger in his car, Lupe Riley from Texas, was also charged with not wearing a seatbelt. 

No injuries have been reported. 

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