I-24 West Closed Following Fatal Crash Involving Children
UPDATE: Monday, March 27: Names of adult victims released. The information has been added to the bottom of this report.
UPDATE:
According to officials with the Robertson County Emergency Medical Services, as of 11:00 am Sunday, March 26, 2023, all lanes of I-24 westbound in Robertson County are back open.
ROBERTSON COUNTY TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – I-24 West is closed at the Hwy 49 exit at mile marker 23 due to a fatal rollover two-vehicle accident. LOCATION OF CRASH The crash involves loss of life including children.
The crash was first reported at 2:08 AM Sunday morning. Robertson County EMS, the Robertson County Emergency Management Agency, the Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol were called to the scene. As of 9 am, I-24 remains closed. An estimate on when the interstate will reopen is still not available.
Officials at the scene tell Smokey Barn News that the loss of life involves children ranging in age from 1 to 18 years old, all from the same vehicle, all female. All were ejected. Officials said, “A total of six children lost their lives in the crash.” Two adults were injured. One adult female was flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville and the other adult male was transported by ground. A third male in a second vehicle was not seriously injured.
According to the Robertson County Emergency Management Agency, commuters can expect I-24 to be closed for an extended period of time.
Of the nine people involved in the crash, six died, two were transported and one, in a second vehicle, was not seriously injured. Reportedly, one person was taken into custody but at the moment we have not been able to confirm that information.
If you are traveling in the area, proceed with caution and watch for first responders in the roadway. Please seek alternative routes or delay travel if possible.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. The dynamics of the crash will be complex and likely take considerable time for their investigators to make their way through the scene. As soon as they are prepared to release their findings, we will bring it to you.
According to officials with the Robertson County Emergency Medical Services,”Further coordination to involve professional mental health and counseling services for responders has been established. Our leadership team will work closely with everyone involved in the coming days to ensure those who are interested have access to these important resources.”
UPDATE: The Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department was the first response unit to arrive and provided a situation report. Cheatham County EMS also responded to provide EMS with mutual aid. A total of four Advanced Life Support ambulances responded and one helicopter/air ambulance.
Initial arriving units worked quickly to search for, assess and triage the total 9 patients involved. The primary vehicle with 8 occupants was found upside down with very extensive damage.
The adult female was found outside the car in critical condition, believed to have been ejected from the car. The other 6 people were pronounced deceased at the scene. Of the 6, all were female ranging 1-18 years of age. All 6 children were found outside of the vehicle, all of which appeared to have been ejected.
Robertson County EMS supervisors on scene gathered necessary documentation and details for Medical Death Investigation operations through the County Medical Examiner. The Tennessee State Medical Examiner’s Office sent a team to the scene to provide transport of the decedents to the State M.E.’s Office (Coroner purposes).
The Tennessee Dept. of Transportation (TDOT) (pictured) worked to control traffic and promote safety. According to Robertson County EMS, the teamwork from the Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department greatly enhanced EMS operations on this incident and is much appreciated.
Respective interdepartmental “CISM” teams (Critical Incident Stress Management) have already been deployed with initial debriefings offered. Further coordination to involve professional mental health and counseling services for responders has been established.
The Robertson County EMS leadership team will work closely with first responders involved in the coming days to ensure they have access to CISM resources.
——– UPDATE: Monday, March 27: Names of adult victims released.
UPDATE: As the Tennessee Highway Patrol makes its way through the investigation they are releasing some information following the deadly crash early Sunday.
The names of the adults involved in the crash have been released, we have added that information below. The names of the minor children are still being withheld but the THP is releasing their ages. Affording to the THP, a 1-year-old, a 3-year-old, a 5-year-old, and a 12-year-old, all girls, lost their lives in the crash, and according to the THP’s preliminary report, none were wearing safety restraints. All four were in the Camry.
21-year-old Tania Rodriquez of Kentucky, (the Driver of vehicle 2 the Toyota Camry), and 35-year-old Rina Reyes (also in the Camry) died in the crash. Again, no safety restraints were used.
34-year-old Saira Reyes (in the Camry) survived the crash. She also was not wearing safety restraints.
23-year-old Matthew Flint of Alabama, (driving a BMW 750LI) was not injured. He was wearing safety restraints. If any charges are possible the THP states. “Ongoing investigation”
18-year-old Anthony Gellardo of Kentucky, a passenger in the Camry was injured. He was wearing safety restraints.
As far as the mechanics of the crash, the THP is still in the middle of their investigation but did release that both vehicles were traveling west on Interstate 24 near mile marker 23 when a crash occurred “between the two.”
Once the investigation is complete, the THP indicates that tye will release more information.
Reload this page for updates.
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