TDOT contractor injured in deadly crash on I-65 in Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - One person died and another was hurt following an early morning crash on I-65 in Nashville on Tuesday.

Two vehicles collided in the northbound lanes at Rosa L. Parks Blvd around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department.

A 29-year-old woman, identified as Marque Lichelle Hamilton, driving a Jeep slammed into the truck that was parked on the side of the interstate with a flashing ‘move over’ arrow, according to police.

The truck’s driver was a Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) contractor that was putting out signs to alert drivers to construction ahead.

The force of the collision caused the truck to roll forward, over the truck’s operator, who was transported to Vanderbilt Medical Center with serious injuries. Hamilton died after the vehicle rolled and caught fire, according to investigators.

“We are for the time being suspending operations with this specific contractor to give us time to make sure they’re following all the proper procedures and safety guidelines,” Rebekah Hammonds with TDOT. “Once we find that out, we’ll resume work with them just as normal.”

Hammonds said TDOT follows federal guidelines for worker safety, and they expect their contractors to do the same.

“They were putting up what is called the first advanced warning sign,” Hammonds said. “An advanced warning is something that the signs are placed miles ahead of the actual land closure. This instance is particularly kind of crazy because this was the first advanced warning sign that was being put up.”

The interstate was closed for several hours for the crash investigation but reopened just after 6 a.m.

Toxicology testing will determine if alcohol was a factor in the crash.

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