A vehicle accident on I-40 east in Roane County just before noon yesterday resulted in a driver taken to a trauma center. The Tennessee Highway Patrol says a 2003 Isuzu Rodeo driven by 44-year-old Kristy Murray of Oakdale rear ended a 2006 tractor-trailer operated by 57-year-old Danny Ashburn of Sparta at the 352 mile marker. The report states Ashburn was unaware of the impact and drug the Isuzu approximately 112 yards to the right shoulder. Murray was extricated from the wreckage of her automobile and flown to U.T. Medical Center for treatment. Ashburn was not hurt. Both drivers were restrained at the time of the crash.

Nearly at the same time, a boat came detached from a trailer being pulled and landed in the roadway in the westbound lanes just over a mile away. A full report from the highway patrol regarding this incident will be released later.

The two accidents causes significant traffic backups in both directions of the interstate for a few hours.