Update, 7:45 a.m. Friday: The man killed in the crash was 52-year-old Michael Atzert of Tennessee, according to a Tennessee Highway Patrol report obtained by Clarksville Now.
Atzert was driving a 2022 Jeep Wrangler westbound when he was hit by a 2004 Lincoln Town Car, also going westbound. Both vehicles went into the median. The Jeep continued down an embankment and into the river, the report said.
The driver of the Town Car was James Centers, 28, of Tennessee. He was not injured. He had a passenger in the vehicle who was not injured. Charges are pending against Centers, the report said.
Update, 1:15 p.m.: I-24 is back open and interstate traffic has returned to normal.
Update, 12:20 p.m.: The interstate remains closed westbound, and traffic is backed up to Exit 18. Traffic is also at a standstill for most of MLK Parkway westbound, Memorial Drive extension and Richview Road. Madison Street is backed up from Old Farmers Road to MLK Parkway.
Update, 9:45 a.m.: Around 5 a.m., Clarksville Fire Rescue crews were dispatched to the report of a vehicle that had left the roadway and entered the Red River, according to a CFR report.
Engine 2 confirmed a vehicle was in the river, and Tennessee Highway Patrol arrived on scene to investigate. Upon investigation, THP confirmed the accident was fatal. Squad 1, Ops 2, Engine 2, Rescue 12, and District Chief 3 remained on scene to assist with recovery.
Traffic on I-24 is backed up to Exit 19.
Update, 9 a.m.: Traffic is backed up to mile marker 17.
Update, 7:30 a.m.: The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating what it said is a fatal crash near mile marker 9. THP told Clarksville Now that due to the investigation, the interstate is expected to remain closed for several hours.
Interstate 24 westbound is closed from Exit 11 to Exit 8. Traffic is backed up from mile marker 16 to Exit 11.
Previously:
CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A vehicle crashed into the Red River on Interstate 24 Thursday morning.
At about 6 a.m., Clarksville Police were assisting Tennessee Highway Patrol after a vehicle left the roadway near mile marker 9.6 westbound and entered the river, according to a press release from CPD spokesman Scott Beaubien. I-24 was shut down, and traffic was being diverted at Exit 11.
At 6:45 a.m., traffic was backed up from Exit 11 to about mile marker 14.
Motorists were advised to seek alternate routes until the roadway can be cleared and reopened.
This article will be updated.