NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Amid the winter storm that impacted the Volunteer State Tuesday and Wednesday, Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) said troopers “worked tirelessly to assist stranded motorists, clear roadways, and investigate incidents amid hazardous conditions.”
According to officials, THP helped 289 stranded motorists, handled 45 abandoned vehicles and 14 roadway obstructions, and responded to 195 crashes across the state—even though THP previously told News 2 troopers responded to 195 property damage crashes and 74 crashes with injuries—on Tuesday, Feb. 18 and Wednesday, Feb. 19.
In addition, state troopers investigated two deadly crashes during that time frame, but authorities did not specify where those incidents occurred.
“The men and women of the Tennessee Highway Patrol worked around the clock to keep drivers safe during this winter storm,” said Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long.
THP said the highest call volumes were recorded in the Nashville, Chattanooga, and Memphis districts, but there were “additional significant responses” in the Knoxville, Fall Branch, Lawrenceburg, Cookeville, and Jackson districts.
On Thursday, Feb. 20, law enforcement provided News 2 the following breakdown of the calls troopers responded to in districts that cover Middle Tennessee counties on Tuesday and Wednesday:
- Chattanooga district (which includes Coffee, Franklin, and Grundy counties):
- Phone calls: 468
- Property damage crash: 8
- Injury crash: 7
- Motorist assist: 20
- Obstructing roadway/object in roadway: 5
- Nashville district (which includes Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Sumner, Robertson, Cheatham, Montgomery, Dickson, Humphreys, Houston, and Stewart counties):
- Phone calls: 628
- Property damage crash: 71
- Injury crash: 29
- Motorist assist: 79
- Cookeville district (which includes Macon, Trousdale, Smith, DeKalb, Cannon, Warren, Van Buren, White, Putnam, Jackson, Clay, Pickett, Overton, Fentress, and Cumberland counties):
- Property damage crash: 23
- Injury crash: 7
- Motorist assist: 10
- Obstructing roadway/object in roadway: 3
- Lawrenceburg district (which includes Perry, Wayne, Lawrence, Lewis, Hickman, Maury, Giles, Marshall, Lincoln, Moore, and Bedford counties):
- Property damage crash: 19
- Injury crash: 7
- Motorist assist: 25
- Jackson district (which includes Henry, Carroll, Benton, and Decatur counties):
- Property damage crash: 25
- Injury crash: 11
- Motorist assist: 64
“We continue to urge drivers to use caution, reduce speed, and avoid unnecessary travel when winter weather impacts our roads,” said THP Col. Matt Perry.
Officials announced on Friday, Feb. 21 THP is still monitoring road conditions and assisting motorists amid storm recovery efforts. Drivers are urged to check road conditions before traveling and call *THP (*847) in case of emergencies.
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.
