The two people killed in a four-vehicle crash on I-24 in Marion County early Friday morning have been identified as Chidule Lackson, 54, and Michael Lee Cardin, 60.
Lackson was driving a semitrailer eastbound near mile marker 165 shortly after 2 a.m. when he crossed two sets of cable barriers and the median, striking another semitrailer being driven westbound by Cardin, according to a preliminary crash report drafted by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Witnesses stated both vehicles exploded and erupted into flames after impact. Investigators were unable to determine if Cardin was wearing a seatbelt due to the severity of the fire.
It is still unclear why Lackson crossed the median into oncoming traffic.
Two other vehicles, another semitrailer and a Toyota sedan, were also involved in the crash, but only one of those drivers was injured.
The crash completely shut down westbound traffic for several hours while authorities worked to clear the scene.