(Smith County Insider Press) Gordonsville, Tenn. – On Thursday, January 26 morning at 5:25 am, Smith County 911 received a call reporting a two vehicle accident involving tractor trailer trucks.
When authorities arrived on scene, they found that two tractor trailer trucks had collided around the 266 West bound mile marker on I-40.
The drivers of the two trucks were identified as Lance Alexander Rishel, 57, of Lake Oswego, Oregon and Pedro Fernando Delgado-Vargas, 50, of Durango, Mexico. Rishel was driving a 2017 Kenworth Tractor Trailer Truck and he was hauling refrigerated foods. Delgado-Vargas was driving a 2012 International Tractor Trailer.
According to Trooper Brandon Jackson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s report, the accident was caused by Rishel. Rishel allegedly fell asleep at the wheel as he was attempting to pass Delgado-Vargas when he side-swiped his truck. A portion of the side of Rishel’s trailer was ripped open.
Both drivers were uninjured in the accident.
Rishel was charged with failure to exercise due care.
Photos courtesy of M&W Towing.
