MAN CHARGED WITH D.U.I. AFTER MULTI-VEHICLE CRASH ON I-40
ACCORDING TO A PRELIMINARY REPORT BY THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL, on November 21, 2025, at approximately 6:25 PM, a multi-vehicle crash occurred on I-40 westbound at the 339 mile marker in Cumberland County, Tennessee.
A 2006 Buick Lucerne driven by 40-year-old Jerry Copeland of Tennessee veered off the left side of the roadway, struck a guardrail, spun around, and came to rest blocking the lanes. A following 2017 Cadillac XTS, driven by 25-year-old Briana Yanniello of Tennessee, was unable to stop in time and collided with the Buick.
The Cadillac carried a 4-year-old child (in a child restraint) and a 72-year-old female passenger, Patricia Sue Hoover; all three occupants of the Cadillac were injured. A third vehicle, a 2007 Toyota RAV4 driven by a 16-year-old female juvenile with 53-year-old passenger Colin D. Cha Fong, attempted to avoid the wreck by moving to the right shoulder but still struck the right rear of the Cadillac.
Neither the juvenile driver nor her passenger was injured.
Jerry Copeland, the driver determined to be at fault, was injured and charged with DUI 2nd offense. All other involved parties wore seat belts (or proper child restraint) and face no charges.
All injured parties were transported for medical treatment.
