Six Fatalities in Interstate Wreck Thursday Night
Chattanooga police say the preliminary investigation suggests that a semi-truck heading north was unable to stop and hit 8 vehicles that were stopped by road construction.
18 people were involved. 6 were killed, 6 were taken to the hospital and the rest were not injured.
Some of the victims are from out of state.
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10:20 AM Update:
Chattanooga police will handle the remaining victim identifications. The Tennessee Highway Patrol says they are only handling the investigation into an 18 wheeler involved in the crash.
They will look into the driver and for any safety violations of the truck.
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Update: exit 11 still closed to traffic after crash, traffic detours. TDOT officials say there is physical damage to the interstate, but they will repair it at a later time. The interstate, itself is open.
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Update: 1st victim’s identify confirmed. Bryan Gallaher, the band director at Ocoee Middle School and son of Bradley County Juvenile Court Director, Terry Gallaher.
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Chattanooga (WDEF) – Police in southeastern Tennessee say Interstate 75 has reopened about 12 hours after six people were killed in a nine-vehicle wreck.
It happened around 7:10 p.m. Thursday on I-75 northbound near the suburb of Ooltewah.
Eyewitnesses say a vehicle flipped over and crashed into a car, causing it to catch on fire.
Investigators worked through the night recreating the scene, but still don’t know how it all started.
Police believe more than 15 people were involved; the exact number is still being determined because multiple groups were taken to local hospitals.
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