The Lexus SUV driver, believed to be a female, who died in Monday’s 6:50 p.m. fiery multi-vehicle crash on I-65 south near Briley Parkway was burned beyond recognition and her identity has not been determined. The heat from the fire melted the license and VIN plates on the Lexus, rendering them unreadable. Based on vehicle parts found at the scene, the Lexus is believed to have been white. Anyone with information as to the potential identity of the victim is asked to contact the Emergency Communications Center at 615-862-8600.
The investigation to this point shows that the Lexus, for reasons unknown, had stopped in the second from the left lane of I-65 south. It was initially struck by a Nissan Maxima that wound up in a ditch to the right of the interstate. The Lexus remained in a travel lane and was hit a short time later by a tractor-trailer. The driver of the truck said he attempted to avoid striking the Lexus by swerving to the left, but was unable to avoid the collision, which sent the SUV spinning down the interstate before it came to rest and caught fire. The tractor-trailer then went across all lanes of travel, clipped another tractor-trailer rig, and came to rest blocking all lanes.
Injuries to the other drivers were not serious.