A fatal car crash took place on Interstate 40 in Fayette County, Tennessee—approximately 40 miles from Memphis—claiming the life of 27-year-old Daniel Palacios III and injuring his 23-year-old wife, Christy Carrillo.
The accident transpired on the afternoon of Monday, March 4, 2024, just a day after the couple’s nuptials. The couple’s Toyota 4Runner veered off the road, struck a dirt embankment, rolled over multiple times, and collided with an inbound semi-truck.
As per reports from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Palacios, a freelance truck operator, perished in the accident. He was not buckled up at the time of the crash. Carrillo, who was properly restrained, sustained injuries but was later discharged from the hospital. The couple was en route to their honeymoon at the time of the incident.
Palacios’ grieving father, Daniel Palacios Jr., disclosed the tragic loss of his son to local media. He mentioned that Carrillo, despite being physically injured and emotionally distressed, is expected to recuperate as she has been released from the hospital.
In a subdued Facebook post, Palacios Jr. honored his son and expressed appreciation to those offering their condolences. He assured that his family is dealing with the loss and announced an online-accessible funeral service set for March 16.
Dennis Vann, a witness to the accident, recorded the terrifying aftermath and forwarded the footage to a local news station. Vann speculated that a blown rear tire might have caused the vehicle to overturn multiple times, resulting in some of the most significant vehicular damage he has ever witnessed.
Palacios’ accident is part of a recent string of fatal incidents on I-40 in Tennessee. In a separate accident hours later, a plane crash near John C. Tune Airport in Nashville, Tennessee, resulted in the death of all five passengers, the pilot, his wife, and three children.
