MURFREESBORO, TN — A deadly two-vehicle crash on Interstate 24 stopped eastbound traffic for hours early Saturday near the Medical Center Parkway exit. The wreck happened just before 3 a.m. at mile marker 76.6, close to the Fortress Boulevard overpass, and one of the vehicles caught fire after impact.

Officials said one person died and another was seriously hurt. That injured victim was flown from the scene by LifeFlight helicopter while firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency medical crews worked around the burning vehicle and the crash debris.

Bystander and trooper pulled occupant from burning vehicle

In one of the most dramatic moments at the scene, a bystander and a Tennessee state trooper reportedly helped pull an occupant out of the vehicle that was on fire. Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department crews then moved in to extinguish the flames and provide medical aid.

The rescue came soon after the collision, before the fire could spread further. Authorities have not released the names of the people involved, and details about the condition of the rescued occupant were not immediately available.

The response highlighted how quickly the crash turned dangerous. With a vehicle burning on the interstate, emergency teams had to balance rescue work, fire suppression, and treatment of the injured all at once.

Eastbound I-24 shut down before sunrise as crews worked the scene

Because of the severity of the crash, officials shut down all eastbound lanes of I-24 shortly before 3 a.m. Drivers heading toward Chattanooga were rerouted while responders secured the area and investigated what happened.

The closure left traffic backed up for miles in the early morning darkness. Crews had to document the scene, clear the damaged vehicles, and keep motorists away from the crash zone while the investigation was underway.

That kind of full shutdown is often necessary after a fatal crash involving fire, especially when emergency workers need space to move safely and examine the roadway. In this case, the closure lasted long enough to affect the region’s early commuter traffic.

Traffic diversion eased after the first lane reopened around 6:50 a.m.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation said the traffic diversion was lifted around 6:50 a.m., when one eastbound lane reopened to drivers. More lanes were restored later in the morning, and all eastbound lanes have since returned to normal use.

Even after the first lane reopened, drivers were urged to be patient and watch for workers still active near the site. The interstate was not immediately back to full speed, and the effects of the wreck lingered after sunrise.

For commuters and travelers, the incident served as a reminder that overnight crashes can create major morning delays. One lane reopening helped ease the pressure, but the area remained a work zone until investigators and cleanup crews finished.

Investigators have not said what caused the fatal collision

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities have not said what led to the collision, and no additional details about the vehicles or the sequence of events have been released publicly.

Officials also have not identified the people involved. That information is expected to come later as investigators continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the wreck and the fire that followed.

For now, the confirmed facts are limited to the time, location, number of vehicles, the fatality, and the serious injury. Those details point to a violent impact that quickly escalated into a roadside emergency.

Officials warn drivers to slow down near emergency scenes

After the closure, officials urged drivers to use caution in the area and stay alert when approaching emergency scenes. That advice was especially aimed at overnight and early morning travel, when visibility is reduced and road conditions can change quickly.

The warning reflects how dangerous roadside response scenes can become for motorists and first responders alike. With lanes closed, fire trucks, ambulances, law enforcement vehicles, and tow crews often need room to work in close quarters.

Saturday’s crash showed how quickly a routine drive can turn into a life-threatening situation. It also underscored the importance of slowing down well before reaching flashing lights, stopped traffic, or active rescue operations.