Pedestrian Struck, Killed On I65 Between Hwy 25 And 52
UPDATE: This report has been updated.
PORTLAND, TENNESSEE (Smokey Barn News) – One person has died following an I65 crash near Portland Monday evening.
The crash was located on I65 at mile-marker 116 and caused traffic on both the north and south lanes to move slowly. The first call came into 911 at 8:34 pm. LOCATION OF CRASH
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s (THP) preliminary report of the crash, a vehicle (pictured below) was heading North on I65 and ended up in the center median. Officials speculate that the vehicle may have become stuck in the grass following a crash. According to the THP, the driver (now identified as 37-year-old Thomas Shack) exited the vehicle and attempted to cross the southbound lanes of the interstate and was struck by a 2020 Freightliner TT tractor-trailer. Shack did not survive, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Traffic on both sides of the interstate moved slowly due to emergency vehicles and lights during the investigation which lasted several hours.
As to why Mr Shack exited his vehicle and decided to cross the interstate remains unclear. Reportedly, witnesses indicated that Mr. Shack struck a semi with his vehicle before landing in the median.