RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Safety officials are reminding drivers to pay attention as state crash data reveals dangerous stretches of Interstate 24 in Rutherford County.
Data from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security shows a series of crash hot spots on I-24 between La Vergne and Smyrna in 2023.
News 2 acquired updated numbers from Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) that show the trend continuing.
Between January 2022 to January 2025, there were more than 2,500 crashes between La Vergne and Murfreesboro city limits (between mile markers 63 and 84), according to THP. More than 300 of the crashes had suspected injuries, and 17 were deadly.
The data shows in 2024 alone, 771 crashes were reported, eight of them fatal. More than 75 crashes have been reported on that stretch so far this year.
News 2 spoke with Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) for their reaction to these statistics. Sgt. Andrew Perez pointed to two main causes for the number of crashes — high traffic volume in the area and risky driving behaviors.
Data from THP reveals the top five driver factors in crashes between La Vergne and Murfreesboro in recent years:
- Failure to yield right of way
- Failure to keep in proper lane
- Under the influence of drugs/alcohol
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
“Pay close attention to your surroundings. Eliminate distractions. Stay off your cell phone, don’t mess around with your radio, don’t eat, don’t put your makeup on. Devote your full time and attention to safely operating your vehicle,” Perez said.
Perez said THP is working with the Rutherford County Traffic Safety Task Force to improve directed enforcement and driver education in the community.
