Interstate 81 traffic northbound was backed up for around five hours Monday afternoon and early evening in Fall Branch,
The wreck was near the 54 mile marker northbound and happened around 2:45 pm
The crash involved two tractor-trailers. According to THP, a TDOT crew had the right lane closed while filling potholes and a tractor-trailer had slowed behind a TDOT truck to wait for the left lane to clear. The tractor-trailer was then rear-ended by another tractor-trailer.
The driver of the semi that rear-ended the other tractor-trailer was trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated by first responders. He was then flown to Johnson City Medical Center. He was identified as 50 year old Mohamed Diarra of Georgia.
The driver of the other tractor-trailer, from California, was not injured, according to the report.
Both northbound lanes reopened around 7:45 p.m.
