Rutherford County, TN - There was a serious auto accident on Interstate 24 in the Westbound Lane heading into Rutherford County on Thursday morning around 7:00 AM. The wreck occurred near the Rutherford County line at Coffee County, next to the Beechgrove Road interchange, which is Exit 97. Hazmat crews were called to the scene as the tractor-trailer leaked diesel onto the roadway.

According to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, an overturned tractor trailer truck initially led to the temporary blockage of the interstate, that was followed by at least two additional crashes, all near the Buchanan Road exit. The wrecks led emergency crews to accidents on the eastbound side heading towards Chattanooga and the westbound lanes.

Reports from the Tennessee Department of Transportation indicate the wreck caused considerable traffic when the interstate had to be temporarily shut down as first responders and paramedics were on the scene.