UPDATE: More information on I-40 crash involving lithium ion battery

5 hours ago

WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News Staff,

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UPDATE 9/8/25 FROM HENDERSON COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:

As most, if not all of you know, we had a large incident on Interstate 40 last Thursday September 4, 2025 at the 118 mile marker in Henderson County.

This incident began as a motor vehicle accident involving a commercial vehicle carrying a 74,000 pound lithium ion battery. This was the first incident of its kind in West Tennessee and we think the largest incident of its kind in the State of Tennessee.

I would at this time be amiss if I did not mention some people and the agencies that contributed to the efforts to make this scene safe and work it for over 16 hours to a successful conclusion.

1st, the leadership of the Henderson County Fire Department. Beginning with Chief Cody Usery, Battalion Chief Chadd Gilliam, and Battalion Chief and Hazmat Specialist Chris Chalk. The entirety of Henderson County Fire Station 3 at Parkers Crossroads as the incident occurred in their run area. Assistant Chief Eddie Stegall and the remainder of the Henderson County Fire Department for covering the County fire responses as we were not leaving the scene until it was cleared.

Henderson County 911, who provided dedicated dispatch to the scene and were inundated with phone traffic as a result of closures to I-40.

The Henderson County Sheriffs Department, and the City of Lexington Police Department for handling the Crush of traffic that was routed through Henderson County as a result of the closings on I-40. Also the Decatur County Sheriffs Department and City of Parsons Police Department for also handling the I-40 traffic sent into their jurisdictions.

Henderson County EMS, who quickly removed the initial accident victims from the area and provided stand by EMS support during the recovery operation.

Chris Hill, and the Natchez Trace State Park Rangers for working to keep the large commercial vehicles under control as they attempted to navigate through the Park as a result of the closings.

We integrated multiple State Agencies into our command structure during this event. Including: The Tennessee Bureau of investigation who provided Drone Support to allow us to monitor the accident for temperature changes from a safe distance. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency who provided liaison support to the State of Tennessee in Nashville and provided drone support as well. The Tennessee Highway Patrol who while not pleased with our decisions to block I-40, always listened to our concerns about safety and understood our decisions and assisted in shutting down traffic. The Tennessee Department of Transportation who provided traffic control support from the West Side of Madison County all the way to the Tennessee River for the duration of this incident and were always there to handle traffic management.

Nick Wall and Minors towing and recovery, who had the confidence in us that we had their safety at the foremost of our planning and were able to mitigate the issues that come with this type of accident, including bringing in TNT crane services with a 50 ton crane to do the final picking and moving of the Battery.

As you can see this was a very complicated, potentially devastating hazardous incident that was handled safely, and as expeditiously as was possible. As stated this incident was the first of its kind in West Tennessee and the dedication, training, of Henderson County first responders and the State of Tennessee partners showed what can be accomplished when we work together as a team.

Steve Deaton – Director
Henderson County Emergency Management

FROM HENDERSON COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT:

Incident Report – I-40 Lithium-Ion Battery Crash

Date: Thursday
Time of First Dispatch: 2:54 PM
Location: I-40 Eastbound, Mile Markers 118 – 118.8

At approximately 2:54 PM Thursday afternoon, District 3 was dispatched to a reported passenger vehicle fire at mile marker 118 on I-40 Eastbound. While en route, at 3:08 PM, both District 3 and District 7 were dispatched to a secondary incident involving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) crash with a passenger car at mile marker 118.8.

Upon arrival, crews found the initial vehicle at MM 118 had simply overheated and was not on fire. However, the secondary incident at MM 118.8 involved a CMV hauling a 74,000-pound lithium-ion battery, which had overturned and gone down an embankment.

All occupants were safely evacuated, and Incident Command made the decision to shut down both eastbound and westbound lanes of I-40 due to potential fire, chemical, and environmental hazards related to the lithium-ion battery.

After further evaluation, westbound lanes were reopened. The Hazmat Team conducted continuous air monitoring and checked battery temperatures, eventually determining it was safe to open one lane of eastbound traffic.

Due to the significant weight of the battery, a crane was required to recover and remove the load. TNT Crane Service was brought in to assist. The Hazmat Team remained on scene monitoring conditions throughout the operation, which continued into the early morning hours. The battery was successfully uprighted and safely removed.

This incident required an extensive response lasting over 16 hours, and we would like to extend our deepest thanks to all agencies and personnel involved, including:

Volunteer Firefighters
Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA)
Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT)
Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP)
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI)
Minors Wrecker Service
TNT Crane Service
Henderson County EMS

Thank you to the public for your patience and understanding during the road closures. We apologize for any inconvenience caused but appreciate your cooperation in ensuring a safe and successful mitigation of this potentially hazardous situation.

Respectfully,
Henderson County Fire Chief Cody Usery