CHATTANOOGA, TN — A multi-vehicle crash forced a shutdown on I-24 westbound near Rossville Boulevard Monday night, disrupting traffic in Chattanooga and leaving drivers with no access to that stretch of interstate for a time.
Tennessee Department of Transportation SmartWay cameras showed the closure, which covered the westbound lanes at the Rossville Boulevard area. Chattanooga police confirmed that injuries were involved, but did not immediately release details on how many people were hurt or how serious those injuries were.
Officials had not yet provided information on what led to the crash, and agencies were still gathering details late Monday.
TDOT cameras showed the westbound lanes blocked after the crash
The closure was first visible on TDOT’s SmartWay camera system, which monitors road conditions across Tennessee. Those images showed traffic stopped on the westbound side of I-24 near Rossville Boulevard after the wreck.
That kind of shutdown can quickly affect evening travel because Interstate 24 is one of the main routes through the Chattanooga area. Drivers headed west had to avoid the affected section until the scene could be cleared and lanes reopened.
No estimated reopening time was immediately announced, and transportation officials had not yet shared a timeline for restoring normal traffic flow. The situation remained fluid as responders worked at the scene.
Chattanooga police confirmed injuries but gave few other details
Chattanooga police said the crash included injuries, though they stopped short of saying how many people were hurt. They also did not say whether anyone was taken to a hospital or whether any of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening.
Police did not release information about the number of vehicles involved, the causes of the collision, or whether any citations or charges were expected. Those details were still unavailable Monday night.
Because the crash involved injuries, investigators may continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the wreck before releasing more information. For now, the confirmed facts were limited to the closure and the reported injuries.
Rossville Boulevard corridor often carries heavy local and interstate traffic
The Rossville Boulevard area is a busy connection point for drivers moving between the interstate and nearby Chattanooga streets. When a crash blocks westbound lanes there, traffic can back up quickly because vehicles have fewer options to reroute through the corridor.
Even a temporary closure can create delays for commuters, freight traffic, and drivers trying to leave downtown Chattanooga in the evening. The impact is often felt beyond the immediate crash scene as vehicles slow to pass emergency responders and as detours fill up nearby roads.
TDOT’s SmartWay tools are intended to help drivers spot those problems in real time so they can choose another route when possible. On Monday night, the camera feed was the clearest public sign that the westbound interstate was blocked.
Officials had not said what caused the wreck
At the time of the initial report, neither police nor TDOT had identified what triggered the multi-vehicle crash. That meant key questions remained unanswered, including whether speed, driver distraction, weather, or another factor played a role.
Authorities also had not said whether emergency crews were still at the scene or whether tow trucks had begun removing damaged vehicles. In a crash involving several cars, those steps can take time because responders must secure the area before traffic can move again.
Without a cause, it was not possible to say whether the collision was linked to a roadway hazard or something that happened suddenly in traffic. Investigators were still working to piece together the sequence of events.
The crash was still being updated Monday night
Officials described the incident as a developing story, signaling that more information could come later from police or transportation agencies. That often means initial alerts focus on the most urgent facts first, such as the closure, location, and whether injuries were involved.
As additional details become available, they will likely include the number of vehicles, the extent of the injuries, and when westbound traffic reopened. For drivers, the main immediate concern was avoiding the closed section and checking live traffic updates before heading out.
For now, the confirmed picture was straightforward: a multi-vehicle crash shut down I-24 westbound at Rossville Boulevard, and Chattanooga police said the wreck injured at least one person.
What drivers needed to know about the shutdown
Anyone traveling through the area Monday night had to account for the closure and consider alternate routes. Because the crash happened on a major interstate corridor, delays likely extended beyond the immediate exit and ramp area near Rossville Boulevard.
TDOT’s SmartWay system is designed to alert motorists to situations like this, helping them avoid blocked lanes and reduce congestion around an active crash scene. Drivers were encouraged to check live road conditions before continuing through the westbound route.
As of the initial report, there was no public word on when the affected lanes would reopen. That left the timing of the cleanup and the return to normal traffic uncertain while crews handled the scene.
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