**UPDATE** 4/29/22
The Tennessee Highway Patrol released the names of the individuals involved in the crash on Thursday.
Omar Sosa De La Cruz, 30, of Bradenton, Florida and Erisbel Cruz Cid, 37, of Hialeah, Florida were the two men that were killed in the truck that caught fire.
Gene Lundgren, 68, of Shenandoah, Iowa was the driver of the truck that was struck in the rear.
Both trucks were traveling West on I-40 when traffic began to slow down due to road work and Cruz and Cid failed to slow down and struck Lundgren’s truck in the rear.
**UPDATE** 3:30pm – 4/28/22
The Tennessee Highway Patrol released the following statement in regards to this morning’s crash:
This is still an active scene that is located on Interstate 40 westbound near mile marker 254, in Smith County. This crash occurred within a construction zone and traffic was being slowed or stopped at the time. A commercial vehicle that failed to see the slowed traffic struck a second commercial vehicle in the rear. Two subjects in the first CMV are confirmed deceased. No other injuries have occurred. The interstate is completely blocked at this time and TDOT is having to repave both lanes due to damage from the fire of the first CMV. Traffic is being rerouted off the 258 exit.
As of Thursday morning at 9:30 am, I-40 west bound at the 254 mile marker is closed due to a wreck involving two semi trucks.
Smith County 911 received a call around 9am reporting a crash with the vehicles fully engulfed in flames. New Middleton and Central District Fire Departments were dispatched to the scene. The Smith County Rescue Squad, Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Smith County EMS and THP also responded to the call.
Reports indicate that two individuals were unable to exit one of fiery trucks and died on scene. Another individual was transported to Riverview Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. No further information is available at this time.
Check back to smithcountyinsider.com later for more information as this story develops.
