THP Identify Woman Killed in I-840 Crash That Injured 3 Children

The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) identified Thursday afternoon the woman killed in a crash on I-840 early Thursday morning.

Erika Puffenbarger, 26, of Bell Buckle, Tenn., died and the three unidentified juveniles in the car with her were injured when her Ford SUV traveled off the side of the road, reports THP. It happened at about 1:18 a.m. on I-840 at mile marker 45 westbound near Arrington.

Her vehicle rolled then landed in the center median, ejecting Puffenbarger, who was struck by an oncoming tractor trailer in the second lane of I-840 westbound, the THP’s preliminary report said.

The three juveniles in the car with her — a 10-year-old girl, 8-year-old girl and 3-year-old boy, were injured but no further information is available.

Puffenbarger and one of the juveniles was not wearing a seatbelt, and the THP report said that in the officer’s opinion it would have made a difference had they been in use.

The THP are trying to locate the driver of the tractor trailer, who did not stop. They ask anyone with any information to contact the THP at 6125-232-2936.

The preliminary description of the semi is a white truck and white trailer.