NASHVILLE, TN — I-40 West was shut down near the Harpeth River and Pegram on Friday after a fatal multi-vehicle crash, leaving westbound traffic stopped around mile marker 194.4.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation said the closure followed a wreck reported late Friday morning. Metro Nashville Police said its fatal crash investigation team had been notified.
Drivers were urged to stay away from the area and find other routes while officials worked the scene.
TDOT says the closure began after an 11:09 a.m. crash report
TDOT said the crash was reported at 11:09 a.m. on Oct. 2, and the westbound lanes were closed after the collision. The agency did not immediately say how many vehicles were involved or whether anyone else was injured.
The shutdown affected a busy stretch of interstate west of Nashville, where traffic moves toward communities along the Harpeth River corridor and into Cheatham County. With the roadway blocked, travelers were left to use local roads and other detours.
Officials did not say how long the closure would last. As of the initial alert, the interstate remained shut down while the scene was investigated and cleared.
Metro Nashville Police brings in its fatal crash team
Metro Nashville Police told FOX 17 News that the department’s fatal crash investigation team had been advised of the incident. That team typically handles serious wrecks where a death is involved and investigators need to determine what happened before traffic can fully reopen.
Police did not release the victim’s name or say how the crash unfolded. No details were given about the vehicles involved, possible contributing factors, or whether any citations or charges were expected.
The department’s notification confirmed that the collision had been treated as a fatal incident from the start. The investigation was still active as traffic remained blocked.
The interstate closure affected westbound travelers near mile marker 194.4
The shutdown centered near mile marker 194.4, a point that sits in the stretch of I-40 West passing through the western edge of the Nashville area. That location placed the closure near Harpeth River crossings and the Pegram community.
Because the closure was on the westbound side, drivers heading away from Nashville faced the biggest delay. The Tennessee Department of Transportation warned motorists to avoid the area altogether until the roadway reopened.
Traffic disruptions of this kind can quickly ripple outward on major interstate routes, especially when lanes are fully blocked. In this case, TDOT said westbound lanes were closed, not slowed or partially restricted.
Officials urged drivers to use alternate routes and avoid the scene
Transportation officials and police both advised drivers to steer clear of the crash area. The guidance was aimed at reducing congestion around emergency vehicles and allowing investigators to work safely.
TDOT did not name a specific detour, but its warning made clear that travelers should expect delays and plan around the closure. Drivers bound for points west of Nashville were encouraged to leave extra time and check for updates before heading out.
The advice was especially important because the crash occurred during the daytime, when interstates are often heavily used for commuter and regional traffic. No reopening time was announced in the initial report.
The wreck remained a developing situation as the roadway stayed blocked
By the time the first alerts were issued, the incident was still being described as developing. That meant officials were still gathering information about the fatal crash, the victim, and the condition of the roadway.
WZTV reported the closure while the scene was active, and no additional facts were immediately released about what led to the multi-vehicle collision. The exact sequence of events remained unclear.
For motorists, the key fact was simple: I-40 West was closed near Harpeth River and Pegram, and the shutdown was expected to continue until investigators and roadway crews finished their work.