Denise Andrade Killed in Jellico DUI Accident
Suspected DUI collision involving parked 18-wheeler leaves Georgia woman dead on Interstate 75
Tennessee interstates see hundreds of fatal crashes annually. Denise Andrade, 20, of Georgia, was killed in a suspected DUI crash involving a commercial vehicle on Interstate 75 near Jellico, Tennessee, on Saturday, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
The morning collision occurred on the right shoulder. A southbound 1999 GMC Sierra pickup truck drifted off the travel lanes and slammed into the back of a parked 18-wheeler.
The 21-year-old man driving the pickup truck also died at the scene. No one was inside the cab of the tractor-trailer when the impact occurred, troopers said.
The crash remains under investigation. Alcohol-impaired driving accounts for roughly 60% of passenger vehicle passengers death in Tennessee, according to IIHS data.
The interstate was closed for several hours. Traffic was rerouted onto Highway 25W at Exit 11 in Williamsburg before lanes reopened.
How common are fatal crashes on Interstate 75?
Interstate corridors in Campbell County handle heavy commercial traffic, creating severe risks when passenger vehicles leave the travel lanes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes nationwide in 2023, representing 30% of all traffic death. When impaired driving is suspected in commercial vehicle collisions, independent investigations often run parallel to law enforcement efforts. National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. "Separate from criminal charges, a victim's family may be entitled to compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party. In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from the scene of the crash, and obtain phone and text records of the liable party. Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a family during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights while ensuring that a drunk driver is held accountable for their reckless actions."
What happens next in the Campbell County investigation?
National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Counsel at Bond Legal, noted that "We understand just what families are forced to go through, and having their rights protected is vital. A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their best interests are taken care of. Relatives of wrongful death victims are entitled to seek damages for the loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident."
Authorities will examine toxicology reports and the positioning of the parked tractor-trailer. Investigators routinely check whether commercial vehicles stopped on highway shoulders deployed the required warning triangles and hazard lights to alert approaching drivers. The area near the Tennessee Welcome Center will be evaluated for adequate lighting and shoulder width.
Tennessee wrongful death statute
Under Tenn. Code § 20-5-106, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Tennessee applies modified comparative fault (50% bar). The statute of limitations is 1 year.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and mental anguish.