NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Briley Parkway has reopened after a brief closure due to a multi-vehicle crash that killed one person on Friday morning.
According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) the highway was entirely closed around 9:30 a.m. on the southbound side at Mile Marker 11 due to the "serious crash." All southbound traffic was being diverted onto the Music Valley Drive/McGavock Pike exit.
The northbound side of the highway remained open while TDOT crews and police worked the scene.
According to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), one person was transported with "critical injuries." A later press release from MNPD stated identified that person as 50-year-old Mark Russell of Gallatin. Russell died as a result of the crash.
"PLEASE be careful driving in potentially flooded roadways," MNPD said on X. "TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN."
The roadway was fully reopened around 12:15 p.m., per MNPD.
A preliminary account of the crash from MNPD said that Russell was driving a Honda Civic when the car veered to the left, striking a Toyota Camry. The Civic reportedly did not sustain major damage. MNPD added that Russell may have suffered a medical event prior to the crash, though medical providers were unable to confirm that.
The roadway was one of several experiencing issues. Multiple crashes were reported around Middle Tennessee, with 42 crashes reported in TDOT Region 3 over the last 12 hours, per TDOT. Region 3 includes the Nashville area.
Nobody else was injured in this crash, according to MNPD, nor was there any evidence of impairment at the scene.
Don’t forget to take the power and reliability of the WKRN Weather Authority with you at all times by downloading the News 2 Storm Tracker app.