RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. — A tragic crash on Interstate 24 near the Davidson and Rutherford County line left one man dead early Wednesday morning of last week. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), 56-year-old Hector Alejandro Rodríguez died after his Chevrolet Silverado pickup collided with a stopped tractor-trailer on I-24 East around 2 a.m.
Investigators say the tractor-trailer was unoccupied and blocking two lanes of traffic at the time of the crash. The semi had reportedly been stopped due to an earlier collision on the interstate. Authorities have not yet confirmed why the truck was left unattended or whether reflective markers or warning triangles were placed behind it to alert oncoming drivers.
After striking the unoccupied rig, Rodríguez’s pickup was hit by a second tractor-trailer, whose driver was wearing a seat belt and was not injured.
Despite the severity of the impact, THP confirmed that Rodríguez was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, but was reportedly pronounced deceased on the scene.
As of Monday night (Oct. 7, 2025), no charges have been filed, though the investigation remains ongoing. The eastbound lanes of I-24 were closed for nearly five hours following the collision and reopened shortly before 8 a.m. on Wednesday morning.
Remembering Hector Rodríguez - Rodríguez leaves behind a wife and daughter in Middle Tennessee, as well as extended family in Tamaulipas, Mexico, where his parents and siblings live.
The family is seeking donations to help return his remains to Mexico for funeral arrangements. Their fundraising efforts are posted on GoFundMe, where just over $13,600 had been raised as of the early morning hours of Tuesday, October 7, 2025. According to the campaign, the family’s goal is to reach $15,000.
The average cost to transport human remains from Tennessee to Mexico typically ranges from $4,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on several factors. International funeral shipping is a complex process, and the final cost can vary based on the destination, required services, and airline fees.
Tamaulipas, located on the Gulf of Mexico and bordering Texas, is home to about 3.5 million residents and ranks as the 14th most populated state in the country.
