Truck hauling hazardous chemicals explodes after being struck by wrong-way driver

Truck hauling hazardous chemicals explodes after being struck by wrong-way driver
Published on July 20th, 2016 by Steve Wilcox

Two people were killed as a result of a head-on collision involving an semi truck and a wrong-way SUV driver.

It happened early Wednesday morning on westbound I-40 in Knoxville, Tennessee. At around 1 a.m., emergency crews responded to the scene near I-275.

The semi truck was struck by an SUV that was traveling west in the eastbound lane. According to WKRN, an Estes trucking company semi truck was hauling 860 pounds of the hazardous chemical Benzoquinone at the time of the collision.

By the time crews arrived, the truck was engulfed in a massive inferno.

WKRN
WKRN

Officials inspected the air for safety. Hazmat allowed the fire to burn to avoid dangerous water run-off.

Firefighters used a water-soluble foam to smother the remainder of the flames.

WKRN

The roadway was shut down for several hours and traffic was diverted.

The Knoxville Police Department tweeted the following:

a

By 10 a.m., the roadway was reopened. Investigators stated that the two drivers killed in the accident were the only people involved.


Read Next

Tractor trailer CRUSHED trying to squeeze under low railroad bridge

Tractor trailer CRUSHED trying to squeeze under low railroad bridge

Pennsylvania firefighters responded to a semi truck vs. railroad bridge accident on Monday morning. Around 8 a.m. on September 15, firefighters responded to the Kohler Railroad Bridge in Greene Township, Pennsylvania, for a reported tractor […]
Tennessee police say ‘PIRATE’ made off with 400 pallets

Tennessee police say ‘PIRATE’ made off with 400 pallets

The Covington Police Department (CPD) says that charges are pending against a “pallet pirate” responsible for the theft of over 400 pallets from a Tennessee business. Tavares Washington, 48, of Cordova, has been charged with […]
Dump truck PULVERIZES overpass in Santa Cruz County

Dump truck PULVERIZES overpass in Santa Cruz County

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is asking drivers to inspect their vehicles following a dump truck vs. overpass strike in Santa Cruz County. The crash took place in the early morning hours of Monday, August […]
Crash leaves car WEDGED under semi trailer, Pennsylvania firefighters say

Crash leaves car WEDGED under semi trailer, Pennsylvania firefighters say

Firefighters in Manheim Township, Pennsylvania, helped rescue a motorist following a crash that left them trapped in their car wedged under a semi truck’s trailer. The crash happened on Monday, August 18, on southbound Route […]
‘MAJOR’ damage after car crashes into semi truck parked on I-80 shoulder

‘MAJOR’ damage after car crashes into semi truck parked on I-80 shoulder

Three people were injured after their car collided with a semi truck parked on the shoulder of an Utah interstate. The crash occurred at 8:20 p.m. on August 11, 2025, in the Wendover, Utah, area. […]