Two big trucks crashed on Interstate 40 Thursday near Centerville around 6:30 Thursday morning.
The Eastbound lanes were shut down for hours while the Tennessee Highway Patrol investigated the unusual circumstances.
Investigators say an empty motor oil tanker was heading west when it suddenly ran off the road. It struck a concrete barrier and crossed over the median into the eastbound lane. The truck hit another truck head-on.
Both drivers lost their lives.
The driver of the tanker truck has been identified as Johnny F. Smith, 58, from Smyrna.
The second driver, Muriz Smajic, 44, of Des Plaines, Illinois was also killed. A 21-year-old passenger was injured. They were carrying computer electronics.
It is not clear what caused the tanker truck to cross into oncoming traffic.
As soon as we get more information we’ll update this story.