Speed and alcohol appear to be contributing factors in Friday's 6:30 p.m. single-vehicle fatal crash on I-40 east near the I-440 junction. The driver of the 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer, Derrick P. Borchardt II, 22, of Cookeville, was killed.
The investigation shows that the Trailblazer was being driven erratically and changing lanes across the interstate. The vehicle traveled to the far right of the roadway, quickly went back to the left, and struck a rock wall. It then rolled over and came to rest on the passenger side. Borchardt was transported by ambulance to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he died. His 22-year-old passenger received minor injuries. There were open alcohol containers in the SUV, and the passenger said they had been drinking prior to the crash.