1 dead, 1 charged after crash that leads to closure of I-24W in Clarksville, Tennessee

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – A motorcyclist was struck by a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction on Interstate 24 in Clarksville Sunday evening, authorities said.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) said the incident occurred at approximately 5:19 p.m. on Sunday, July 14, at mile marker 3 on I-24 West.

Just before 5:45 p.m., Clarksville police reported that their officers responded to the same location on the interstate for an “injury incident.” According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s online traffic map, all westbound lanes were closed until after 10 p.m.

According to THP, a 2016 Jeep Patriot was traveling eastbound on I-24 in a westbound lane while a 2024 Kawasaki ZX6 was traveling westbound in the same lane. The SUV reportedly struck the motorcycle head-on.

Authorities said that after the impact, the Jeep went off the right side of the road, began to veer and came to a stop in the middle of the road, facing west. The motorcycle came to a stop on the right shoulder, facing east.

The driver of the Kawasaki – identified by officials as 21-year-old Ethan Tran of Tennessee – succumbed to his injuries.

The driver of the Jeep, 68-year-old Christopher Mulwa of Tennessee, was wearing a seatbelt but was injured in the crash, THP said. He is allegedly charged with negligent homicide in connection with the incident.

Police said they are attempting to divert traffic at Exit 4 on I-24 while the THP investigates the incident. Motorists are asked to avoid the area until further notice and use alternate routes.

No further details about the crash were released.