KPD e-News Release: I-81 Moving Again But Crashes Remain Under Investigation

	Kingsport Police Department David Quillin, Chief of Police 200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com
NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT:		I-81 Moving Again But Crashes Remain Under Investigation
DATE:		November 2, 2017

GENERAL NARRATIVE
On November 2, 2017, as of approximately 8:45 PM, both southbound lanes and one northbound lane of I-81 in Kingsport are back open for travel. In the interest of safety, there could potentially continue to be some brief intermittent northbound closures while the investigation continues. The crashes that caused these closures remain under active investigation; therefore, no further details will be immediately available. Additional information should be available by the morning of Friday, November 3, 2017. As previously released: On November 2, 2017 at approximately 5:30 PM, area first responders to include Kingsport Police Department Patrol Officers were alerted to as many as two separate motor vehicle collisions involving the possibility of at least one overturned tractor-trailer on Interstate 81 in Kingsport. At this time, it appears that both directions of travel are effected and at a complete standstill between mile markers 57 and 59. Area motorists are advised to avoid this area and plan an alternate route. Motorists already in the immediate area are strongly encouraged to exercise patience and courtesy, follow all traffic instructions, and drive with a heightened sense of situational awareness. TDOT has been notified, and traffic should begin to be diverted and detoured shortly. No additional details regarding any resultant crash investigations are available at this time.