Man missing for days found dead by road crew near site of crash, Tennessee police say

A road crew picking up trash alongside an interstate stumbled across the body of a missing man, Tennessee authorities said.

Family members of 62-year-old Jeffrey Weir reported him missing Aug. 27 after they hadn’t seen him since Aug. 24, according to a news release from the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.

The night Weir was reported missing to the Lebanon Police Department, workers with the Tennessee Department of Transportation were collecting trash next to Interstate 40 after a recent crash, when one of them smelled a foul odor, police told McClatchy News.

Weir’s body was discovered about 15 yards from his Ford Fusion in a wooded area, according to police.

Investigators said Weir was driving west when he appeared to have lost control of his car, hit a guardrail and continued down an embankment until coming to a stop in the woods. Police told McClatchy News he was ejected in the crash.

Investigators said they didn’t identify any signs of impairment at the scene.

What to do if you’re in a car crash

More than 5.9 million traffic accidents were reported by police in 2022, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“No one wants to get into a car crash. But being prepared and knowing what to do if you are involved in an accident can save lives, reduce injuries and make the claims process simpler and easier,” the Insurance Information Institute said on its website.

Here are 10 things you should do if you’re in a car crash:

• Pull the vehicle over to a safe place on the side of the road if possible.

• Assess any possible injuries and make sure everyone is OK.

• Call 911 if anyone is injured.

• Assess the car damage and take photos if possible.

• Don’t leave the scene.

• If the vehicle involved was unattended, leave a note with your name and phone number.

• Note the names and contact information of everyone in the crash, the makes and models of the cars, and the location of the crash.

• Ask other drivers for a license, car registration and insurance ID.

• Report the crash to police or highway patrol.

• File an accident report even if police can’t come to the scene, and notify your insurance shortly after.

This story was originally published August 28, 2024 at 12:49 PM with the headline "Man missing for days found dead by road crew near site of crash, Tennessee police say."