Victims’ identified in Saturday’s double fatal accident on I-75 near Jellico

Southbound traffic was re-routed exiting at Exit 11 at Williamsburg onto Highway 25W

JELLICO, TN (WLAF)- A man and a woman from Georgia died Saturday morning when the pick-up truck in which they were riding struck the back of a parked 18-wheeler, according to a report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol. At 8:42am the collision occurred on the right shoulder at Mile Marker 161, near the Tennessee Welcome Center.

Jesus Silva, 21, was behind the wheel of a 1999 GMC Sierra pick-up truck. His passenger was Denise Andrade, 20. Both died at the scene.

There was no one in the cab of the 18-wheeler.

ORIGINAL STORY: Reports coming in to WLAF News are that a pick up truck collided with the back of an 18-wheeler on I-75 early on Saturday morning.

Interstate 75 southbound in Campbell County, near Mile Marker 161, a mile north of Jellico, is where a multi-vehicle crash occurred Saturday morning at 8:42 AM. The southbound right lane of two lanes is blocked, and the right shoulder is blocked, according to TDOT.

Two people died at the scene, according to one official.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating.

It’s been said that that section of interstate will be closed for several hours. Traffic is re-entering the interstate at Jellico’s Exit (entrance) 160. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-04/25/2026-11AM-UPDATED 04/25/2026-2PM-UPDATED-04/26/2026-3PM)