On April 27, 2026, a two-vehicle collision occurred on Interstate 40 eastbound near mile marker 315 in Cumberland County. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol preliminary report, Vanessa Jones, 35, of Tennessee, was operating a 2019 Chevrolet Colorado in the number one lane when she failed to avoid striking the rear of a 2021 Nissan Versa driven by 23-year-old William Thorn of Maine.

The impact forced Mr. Thorn’s vehicle off the left side of the roadway, where it ultimately came to rest in the median after striking a tree line. While Ms. Jones and her 5-year-old passenger were uninjured, Mr. Thorn sustained injuries in the crash.

Following the collision, Ms. Jones reportedly pulled over briefly before fleeing the scene. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department later located her vehicle on Potato Farm Road. Investigators noted that while Ms. Jones was wearing a seatbelt, the juvenile passenger in her vehicle was improperly restrained.

Consequently, Ms. Jones faces a long list of charges, including Leaving the Scene of an Injury Crash, Failure to Render Aid, Driving on a Suspended License, and various citations related to child restraint, insurance, and registration violations.

No charges were filed against Mr. Thorn.