Fourth Incident this Month

10/20/23 Knoxville, TN

 At approximately 7 a.m. on Friday, October 20, a Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) HELP Truck was struck on I-40 West at mile marker 370, one mile from the Watt Road exit in Knox County. This is the fourth time this month one of TDOT’s trucks has been hit.

“We engineer our roads to be safe as possible,” said TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. “But there’s no amount of engineering that can change driver behavior. Everyone must slow down, move over, and pay attention.”

The HELP Truck driver was pulling up to assist with a disabled vehicle on the side of the road when they were hit from behind by a car driving on the shoulder. Pictures of the crash are attached.

Our HELP Truck driver is being evaluated for injuries. As for the driver who caused the crash, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) says he fell asleep. He’s facing several charges including reckless endangerment, having an unregistered vehicle, and improper use of registration.

The Move Over Law was passed in 2006. The penalty for violating the law in Tennessee carries the possibility of up to 30 days in jail and a maximum fine of up to $500.