A tragic vehicle accident claimed the life of newlywed Daniel Palacios III, 27, and injured his bride, Christy Carrillo, 23, on Interstate 40 in Fayette County, Tennessee, approximately 40 miles from Memphis.
The accident took place on Monday, March 4, 2024, the day after the couple’s wedding. Their Toyota 4Runner veered off the road, struck a dirt embankment, rolled several times, and collided with an oncoming semi-truck.
Palacios, who worked as an independent truck driver, died in the crash. The Tennessee Highway Patrol’s reports confirmed he was not wearing a seatbelt during the accident. Carrillo, who was wearing her seatbelt, sustained injuries and was later discharged from the hospital. The couple was en route to their honeymoon when the accident occurred.
Daniel Palacios Jr., the deceased’s father, informed local media about the sad news of his son’s death. He stated that Carrillo, despite injuries and emotional distress, is expected to recover fully as she has been released from the hospital.
In a solemn Facebook post, Palacios Jr. paid tribute to his late son and expressed appreciation for the outpouring of support. He confirmed that his family is managing the situation and announced an upcoming funeral service on March 16, which will be streamed online.
Witness Dennis Vann recorded a video of the accident’s aftermath and provided it to a local news station. Vann suggested that a rear tire blowout may have contributed to the crash, causing the vehicle to flip multiple times. He described the incident as causing some of the most significant damage he has ever observed in a vehicle crash.
The incident adds to a string of recent accidents on I-40 in Tennessee. In a separate event just hours after Palacios’ fatal accident, a plane crash near John C. Tune Airport in Nashville, Tennessee, resulted in the death of all five passengers.
