Knoxville, September 18, 2025 News Summary Knoxville and Sevier County faced serious traffic disruptions on Interstate 40 following two multi-vehicle crashes. The Knoxville incident occurred at 7:15 p.m. and led to the shutdown of all eastbound lanes. The Sevier County crash, involving a Toyota Camry and multiple tractor-trailers, resulted in significant delays and required emergency crews to manage the situation for over six hours, ultimately causing a full shutdown of the eastbound lanes. No immediate injuries were reported in Knoxville, but one driver from Sevier County was hospitalized. Knoxville and Sevier County experienced significant traffic disruptions on Wednesday night due to two separate multi-vehicle crashes on Interstate 40. The first incident occurred in Knoxville, where a crash led to the shutdown of all eastbound lanes near West Hills around 7:15 p.m. Emergency crews responded to the scene quickly, but traffic was heavily backed up near North Cedar Bluff Road by approximately 8:30 p.m. A TDOT SmartWay camera showed a tractor-trailer jackknifed against the road divider. The road was reopened just after 9 p.m., although details regarding the cause of the crash and any injuries sustained were not immediately available. In a separate incident in Sevier County, another multi-vehicle crash occurred at 8:12 p.m., near Mile Marker 409. Traffic in this area was backed up to around Mile Marker 408 by 8:40 p.m. This crash involved a Toyota Camry driven by Jonathan Negrete-Toledo, 20, of Dandridge. Negative-Toledo has been charged with underage driving while impaired and violation of implied consent. His passenger, Victor Rodriguez Campos, 20, of White Pine, is charged with underage alcohol consumption. The Camry collided with a tractor-trailer, leading to another tractor-trailer veering into the median. Following the collision, the Camry became partially caught underneath one of the tractor-trailers. One of the overturned trucks required the extrication of its driver, Perry Andrews, 58, who was subsequently taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center for treatment of injuries. Due to the severity of the incident, I-40 East was shut down, or partially shut down, for over six hours as emergency crews worked to manage the situation. As an update at the time, one lane on I-40 in Sevier County had reopened. Background Context The crashes occurred on a busy interstate known for heavy traffic, particularly during the evening rush hour. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) closely monitors incidents through its SmartWay camera system. While the Knoxville incident was cleared relatively quickly, the Sevier County crash caused major delays and complications, underscoring the potential dangers associated with impaired driving and the importance of adhering to road safety regulations. FAQ When did the crash in Knoxville occur? The crash in Knoxville occurred around 7:15 p.m. What caused the significant traffic delays in Sevier County? A multi-vehicle crash involving a Toyota Camry and multiple tractor-trailers caused significant traffic delays in Sevier County. What charges were filed against Jonathan Negrete-Toledo? Jonathan Negrete-Toledo has been charged with underage driving while impaired and violation of implied consent. Key Features of the Incidents Feature Knoxville Incident Sevier County Incident Location I-40 near West Hills I-40 near Mile Marker 409 Time Reported 7:15 p.m. 8:12 p.m. Involved Vehicles Tractor-trailer Toyota Camry, multiple tractor-trailers Traffic Impact All eastbound lanes shut down Significant delays, full shutdown for over six hours Injuries No immediate reports Perry Andrews taken to hospital Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic HERE Resources Motorcyclist Dies in Interstate 40 East Crash in Knoxville Knoxville Considers Expansion of Passenger Rail Services Knoxville Traffic Delayed by Multiple Crashes on I-640 Flash Flooding Causes Major Disruptions in Queens Knoxville City Council Approves Traffic Signal Upgrade Knoxville Prepares for I-275 Closure for Bridge Replacement Major I-275 Bridge Replacement Project Causes Traffic Disruption Interstate 275 in Knoxville to Reopen After Bridge Work Maryville City Council Honors Local Author and Proclaims Missy Barrett Day Traffic Disruption from Overturned Tractor-Trailer in Knoxville Additional Resources WBIR: I-40 Knoxville Shutdown Wikipedia: Traffic Collision WATE: I-40 Major Crash Google Search: I-40 Knoxville Traffic Accident WATE: Driver Killed in I-40 Crash Google Scholar: Traffic Safety Regulations WBIR: Multi-Vehicle Crash in Sevier County Encyclopedia Britannica: Vehicle Safety WATE: Victims Identified in I-40 Crash Google News: Knoxville Traffic News
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
