Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue responded to a motor vehicle accident involving a tractor trailer truck just before 4:00 Wednesday morning.

According to Shift Commander Tim Swann, an Averitt Express truck carrying auto manufacturing parts hit the wall between I-24 and the Exit 76 (Medical Center Parkway) off ramp.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol report that 52-year old Billy D. Melton, Jr. fell asleep at the wheel while driving the big rig. The truck drifted to the side of the road where it struck a guard rail and then redirected back across I-24 where it came to a rest straddling I-24, destroying a median dividing wall.

The driver was transported by ambulance to Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital. His condition is not known at this time, but state troopers say he was not wearing a safety belt.

An environmental company later responded to the scene to clear fuel that spilled from the truck. We were told that charges have not been filed against the driver who lives in Smyrna, Tennessee.

Accident Details:

Date: 8-13-14

Hwy: I-24 mm 76

Rutherford County

Vehicle 1: 2014 Volvo, tractor trailer hauling auto parts

Driver 1:Billy D. Melton Jr
Dob: 12-1-61

From: Smyrna, TN

Seatbelt: No

Injured: Yes, ems ground unknown hospital

Charges: No

Source:

Sgt. Bill Miller, Tennessee Highway Patrol