ONE DEAD, TWO INJURED IN HEAD-ON VEHICLE CRASH ON I-40
Interstate 40 westbound in Putnam County was closed for over two hours late this morning following a fatal vehicle crash.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol says a 2022 Dodge Ram 5500 truck pulling an enclosed trailer operated by 51-year-old Robert James Chermely of Georgia was traveling east near the 280-mile marker. The Dodge went off the road, crossed the median, and traveled into the westbound lanes.
The Dodge hit head-on with an oncoming 2016 Nissan Rogue driven by 58-year-old Tonya Johnson of Ohio.
Johnson was killed in the crash.
Chermely and a 15-year-old passenger sustained injuries.
Troopers state charges are pending against Chermely.