KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Parts of Interstate 75 southbound were shut down in Loudon County on Monday night, October 26, after a multi-vehicle wreck involving two semi trucks and a passenger vehicle caused a diesel spill, according to the Loudon County Sheriff's Office.

Source: WVLT (Knoxville), reporting the Loudon County Sheriff's Office

The wreck happened around 9 p.m. on I-75 southbound near mile marker 83, just south of the I-75 and I-40 split. According to the sheriff's office, a northbound semi truck lost a steer tire, crossed the median and entered the southbound lanes, striking another semi. A passenger vehicle additionally struck debris in the roadway.

After the wreck, spilled diesel fuel began leaking onto the roadway. Loudon County Emergency Management was addressing the spill and coordinating cleanup efforts on Monday night, officials said.

The sheriff's office said closures were expected to last until at least midnight, with congestion expected on I-75 northbound and on both eastbound and westbound I-40. WVLT's video report on the closure said no injuries were reported.

Source: WVLT video report

For truckers — including the many Punjabi drivers who run the I-75/I-40 freight corridor through East Tennessee — the sheriff's office urged caution near the area and asked drivers to seek an alternate route if possible while cleanup continued.

The sheriff's office described the incident as a developing story on Monday night. Awaaz Punjab will update this report if officials release the identities of those involved or a cause beyond the lost steer tire described above.