Quick Facts:
Where: The accident occurred in the northbound lanes of Interstate 81 in Greene County, Tennessee.
What Happened: A box truck allegedly struck the back of a tractor-trailer that had slowed for traffic.
Participants:
- Driver of tractor-trailer
- Austin Owens, driver of box truck
Reported Injuries/Fatalities:
- Austin Owens, 21, killed
Details
On or about Thursday, October 29th, 2020, around 5:00 in the afternoon, a box truck accident with an 18-wheeler left one man dead. Authorities said the accident happened in the northbound lanes of Interstate 81 in Greene County, Tennessee.
Police said 21-year-old Austin Owens was killed when the box truck he was driving allegedly rear ended an 18-wheeler near milepost 49. Paramedics pronounced Owens dead of his injuries after the crash. Officers said the driver of the tractor-trailer was unhurt.
Google Earth shows that Interstate 81 is four lanes with a heavily wooded median dividing north and southbound traffic. The interstate runs along the northern edge of Greene County, which is located about 72 miles east of Knoxville.
Police are still examining the factors that may have led to the accident.