PLEASANT VIEW, Tenn. (WTVF) — Six people were killed and two people were injured in a crash that shut down I-24 west in Robertson County early Sunday morning. The crash claimed the lives of several children, according to Robertson County Emergency Medical Services.
The crash happened between exits 19 and 24 around 2:00 a.m. Sunday.
Officials from Robertson County EMS said their agency and Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to the scene, near mile marker 23.
Brent Dyer, the director of Robertson County Medical Services, told NewsChannel 5 that nine people were involved in the crash.
23-year-old Matthew Flint was in his own vehicle and did not require medical attention.
According to Dyer, a second vehicle involved was found upside down with extensive damage. 18-year-old Anthony Gellardo was taken to the hospital with injuries.
34-year-old Saira Reyes who had been a passenger of the second vehicle was ejected during the crash, Dyer said. She was flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center and was last listed in critical condition.
Six other female passengers were also ejected from the second vehicle and died.
A 1-year-old, 3-year-old, 5-year-old and 12-year-old child were all killed in the crash.
35-year-old Rina Reyes was also killed.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is the lead agency investigating this crash. At this point, it's unclear what happened in the moments leading to the crash.
Westbound lanes of I-24 were reopened at about 11:00 a.m. Sunday.
