A FedEx truck overturned in the median of Interstate 75 in Anderson County early Thursday, and the driver, who was pinned and had to be extricated, had to be flown by medical helicopter to a hospital. (Photo by Terry Allen/Anderson County Rescue Squad)
Note: This story was last updated at 7 p.m.
An injured truck driver was flown by medical helicopter to a hospital after a semi overturned into the median of Interstate 75 in Anderson County early Thursday, authorities said.
The crash was reported at about 12:15 a.m. Thursday near mile marker 127. Authorities said the injured driver was trapped in the cab of the FedEx truck and had to be extricated. Rescuers were able to remove the driver in 16 minutes.
A University of Tennessee Lifestar medical helicopter flew to the crash site and landed on the interstate at about 12:55 a.m. to pick up the driver, Harrold E. Daniels Jr., 55, of Wilmore, Kentucky, authorities said. Daniels was flown to the UT Medical Center in Knoxville.
Daniels was wearing a seat belt, the Tennessee Highway Patrol said. He was charged with due care, according to the THP.
A preliminary crash report said Daniels was driving a 2005 International tractor-trailer south on Interstate 75 when he failed to stay in his lane. The truck traveled to the fog line on the right side of the road, then back across the fast lane of travel, the THP said. It then went off the left side of the interstate and began to roll onto its side, coming to an uncontrolled rest in the center of the median, the report said.
Emergency crews were on the scene for some three hours, said Mark Lucas, chief deputy of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department. I-75 was closed for about 20 minutes to allow Lifestar to land on the interstate.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department responded along with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Anderson County EMS, Anderson County Rescue Squad, and the Medford Volunteer Fire Department. THP investigated the crash.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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