Troopers and medics went to the scene of a vehicle accident late Friday afternoon on I-40 in Loudon County. A 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser operated by 30-year-old  Ray Hale of Bryant, Arkansas was traveling at the 364 westbound mile marker when two kayaks suddenly fell off the roof of a minivan in front of him. Hale hit the brakes to avoid colliding with them and was hit in the rear by an oncoming 2004 Toyota Tundra driven by 20-year-old Deonovan Nelson of Harriman. Both drivers were restrained and the report indicated Nelson was injured.

The driver of the minivan stated that he had recently gotten the kayak rack installed at a auto dealer and that it was the first time he had transported the kayaks with it. He stated that the two kayaks were under the weight rating for the rack itself. The entire rack ripped off of the top of his van when the wind caught it.