NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Briley Parkway has reopened after a brief closure due to a multi-vehicle crash that killed one person Friday morning.

According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), the highway was completely closed around 9:30 a.m. on the southbound side of Mile Marker 11 due to a “serious accident.” All southbound traffic was diverted to the Music Valley Drive/McGavock Pike exit.

Helene leaves thousands of Tennesseans without power; roads flooded

While TDOT crews and police worked on the scene, the northbound side of the highway remained open.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), one person was transported with “critical injuries.” A later MNPD press release identified the person as Mark Russell, 50, of Gallatin. Russell died as a result of the accident.

“PLEASE use caution when driving on potentially flooded roads,” wrote MNPD on Channel X. “TURN OVER, DON’T DROWN.”

According to MNPD, the roadway was fully reopened around 12:15 p.m.

MNPD’s initial report on the crash shows that Russell was driving a Honda Civic when the car veered left, striking a Toyota Camry. Initial information shows that the Civic did not sustain any major damage. MNPD added that Russell may have suffered a medical event before the crash, although doctors were unable to confirm this.

The roadway was one of several problems. Multiple crashes were reported around Middle Tennessee, with 42 in TDOT Region 3 in the last 12 hours, according to TDOT. Region 3 covers the Nashville area.

According to MNPD, no one else was injured in this crash and there was no evidence of injury at the scene.

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