Five-Vehicle Crash Kills One In Putnam County

A Cookeville man died Saturday during a five-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 in Putnam County.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol has identified the deceased as 37-year-old Michael Silvey.

According to a crash report, the accident occurred just before 10:30 p.m. when Silvey was traveling west in the eastbound lanes.

The report states 21-year-old Caleb Green, of Crossville, swerved to avoid hitting Silvey’s 2018 Ford F-150  but collided with the vehicle, traveled into the right lane, and struck a tractor-trailer.

Silvey’s truck was then hit head-on by another tractor-trailer being driven by 62-year-old Daniel Laquart of Murfreesboro. The report states Silvey’s truck was hit a final time by a 2013 Ford Taurus driven by 55-year-old William Monday, of Crossville, before coming to a final rest in the middle of the roadway.

Authorities report an eight-year-old child inside Silvey’s truck was injured during the crash. The child’s condition is currently unknown at this time.

All other drivers and vehicle occupants were uninjured. At least seven people occupied the four other vehicles involved in the accident.

The THP’s report indicates alcohol may have played a factor in the crash. Both Silvey and the eight-year-old child were wearing seat belts when the accident occurred.