Wes Rucker TBA has passed away in a car crash on I-40 near Cedar Bluff as he lefr behind his pregnant wife

Fatal crash on I-40 West at Cedar Bluff under investigation


One person was killed in a multi-vehicle crash that happened Thursday afternoon on I-40 West.

At around 4:50 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to a five-vehicle crash on I-40 West near Cedar Bluff Road. The driver of a vehicle involved in the crash was pronounced dead at scene.

The investigation has revealed that a vehicle was stopped for traffic when it was rear-ended by another vehicle, resulting in minor damage. Another vehicle then struck the second vehicle, setting off a chain reaction. Seconds later, a large pickup truck ran into and on top of an involved vehicle, fatally injuring the adult male driver of the vehicle it collided with.

The investigation into the crash is being led by KPD crash reconstruction personnel. That investigation is in the early stages and ongoing at this time.

The identity of the deceased is being withheld at this time.