A TRACTOR TRAILER TRUCK DRIVER FROM MANCHESTER, TENNESSEE,
WAS TAKEN TO A TRI CITIES HOSPITAL AFTER THE TRUCK HE WAS OPERATING RAN OFF INTERSTATE 81 NEAR COLONIAL HEIGHTS. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AROUND 12:45 PM ON WEST SHIPLEY FERRY ROAD NEAR EXIT 59. KINGSPORT PATROLMAN DALE FARMER SAID THE TRUCK EXITED THE ROADWAY, TRAVELED DOWN A GRASS AND TREE LINED BANK. AND CAME TO REST. THE TRUCK, OWNED BY COVENANT TRANSPORT FROM CHATTANOOGA, WAS HAULING SOME FLAMMABLE MATERIALS. THE DRIVER, 50 YEAR OLD ROBERT WILLSON, RECEIVED NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO HOLSTON VALLEY HOSPITAL. HE TOLD POLICE THAT HE MUST BLACKED OUT AND THAT CAUSED HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE TRUCK WAS TRANSPORTING FLAMMABLE CHEMICALS AND SEVERAL BARRELS BROKE FREE FROM THE TRUCK AND LANDED ON THE ROADWAY. NO RESIDENTS HAD TO BE EVACUATED OR WERE HARMED. THE HAZMAT TEAM AND OTHERS WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE. AT THIS TIME, FARMER SAID NO CHARGES WILL BE PLACED AGAINST WILLSON.