KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) – I-40 in Knoxville has reopened after thousands of pounds of sugar were spilled in a crash involving several tractor-trailers early Monday morning.
All eastbound lanes of I-40 at Chilhowee Drive were closed and traffic was being diverted to I-640 W after a multi-vehicle crash was reported at 4:16 a.m.
Tennessee Department of Transportation spokesperson Mark Nagi said approximately 48,000 pounds of powdered sugar was spilled in the crash.
A Knoxville Police spokesperson said one person sustained non-life-threatening as a result of the crash.
All wrecked commercial vehicles have been towed away. Work continues on the spilled load and destroyed trailers. Cargo was approximately 48,000 pounds of powdered sugar. pic.twitter.com/RkHexZ1QBb
— Mark Nagi (@MarkNagiTDOT) December 14, 2020
Westbound I-40 was also affected with the left lane blocked by emergency vehicles.
It’s not the first time sweets have been spilled across major roadways in Knoxville. In July, I-75 in the city was closed for several hours after an overturned tractor-trailer spilled soda across the roadway.
Thousands of pounds of candy, including mint M&M’s, were spilled on I-40 E at Papermill Drive in December 2019.
