Effective December 6, 2016 as of approximately 2:45 PM, Interstate 81 in Kingsport is back open with normal traffic patterns resuming. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported in any of the aforementioned crashes. The Kingsport Police Department would like to express sincere gratitude to the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) for their invaluable assistance with traffic control during this incident.
As previously released:
On December 6, 2016, shortly before 12:00 Noon, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers responded to three separate motor vehicle collisions, as well as a jackknifed tractor trailer, on southbound Interstate 81 in the vicinity of mile marker 60. These incidents have resulted in a temporary, but complete, closure of Interstate 81 at this location.
Motorists already in the vicinity are asked to be alert, exercise patience, caution, and restraint, and obey all traffic instructions. Motorists not in the immediate area are strongly encouraged to avoid the area altogether and seek an alternate route, so as to decrease overall traffic congestion and avoid unnecessary delays. |