Six found dead near flipped car after crash on Tennessee interstate, officials say
Six people found dead near a flipped car are believed to be between 1 and 18 years old, Tennessee officials said.
In addition to killing several young people, the crash sent a woman to a hospital in critical condition early Sunday, March 26, according to Robertson County Emergency Medical Services.
Capt. Wayne Bennett of the Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department told WKRN the scene was one of the worst he’s been on after nearly two decades on the job.
“It’s just a tragic loss,” Bennett told the TV station. “You can’t imagine what the families are going through of these victims.”
First responders were called at about 2 a.m. to Interstate 24. The crash was reported at mile marker 23, near the Tennessee Highway 49 exit and roughly 25 miles northwest of Nashville.
At the scene, Robertson County EMS said it saw a car lying “upside down with very extensive damage.”
Near the car, crews found a man in stable condition and a woman with critical injuries. Both were taken to medical centers, officials wrote in a news release.
First responders also reported discovering six girls who may have been thrown from the car and couldn’t be saved.
“All were female and ages appeared to have ranged from 1-18 yrs of age,” the EMS department wrote. “All of the 6 patients who were pronounced as deceased were found outside of the vehicle.”
A ninth person at the scene was the driver of the other vehicle involved and didn’t report any injuries.
Officials in their news release didn’t say how the crash happened. The Tennessee Highway Patrol, which reportedly is investigating the deadly wreck, didn’t immediately share additional information with McClatchy News on March 27.
“Coordination to involve professional mental health and counseling services for responders has been established,” officials wrote in their news release. “Our leadership team will work closely with everyone involved in coming days to ensure those who are interested have access to these important resources.”
The Tennessee Department of Transportation said the crash closed Interstate 24 west, which reopened to traffic as of about 11 a.m.
This story was originally published March 27, 2023 at 6:18 AM with the headline "Six found dead near flipped car after crash on Tennessee interstate, officials say."
