Semi-tractor-trailer collision causes I-24 closure
MCCRACKEN COUNTY, KY (KBSI) – The McCracken County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a semi-truck was on its side and another one was engulfed in flames.
On Saturday September 14 around 5:17 am the McCracken County Sheriff’s Department was notified of a wreck involving two semi-tractors in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 24, near the 9-mile marker.
After officers arrived and investigation, they found Saio Peters, 67, of Decatur, Georgia was operating a 2017 Freightliner, eastbound on Interstate 24.
Zurab Bukhnikashvili ,61, of West Chester, Ohio was stopped along the south shoulder of the eastbound lanes. He was standing outside of a 2015 Volvo, attempting to make a repair when the tractor was struck in the rear by Peters.
The 2015 Volvo rolled over onto its right-side, coming to rest on top of Bukhnikashvili.
He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The 2017 Freightliner collided with the center median cable barrier and caught fire.
Peters sustained incapacitating injuries and was flown to an out of state hospital for treatment.
One of the tractors was loaded with 5-gallon buckets of transmission fluid which spilled over the entire surface of the roadway.
The eastbound lanes of Interstate 24 were closed for approximately 14 hours to facilitate the scene and roadway clean-up.
Many different crews responded on scene including Paducah Police and Fire Departments, Mercy Regional Ambulance, Kentucky State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, McCracken County Coroner’s Office, Mercy Regional Ambulance, Stinnett’s Towing and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Kentucky State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement.
