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WEGO Bus Crashes into Semi-Trailer on I-65, Leaving Seven Injured

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  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. -semi-trailer-on-i-65-leaving-seven-injured.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Thursday, December 11th 2025 at 10:22 GMT by WSMV

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Nashville’s WEGO Bus Crash: A Detailed Summary

On the evening of December 10, 2025, a high‑speed bus operated by the WEGO shuttle service ran into a pile‑up near the intersection of I‑65 and Hardin Pike in Nashville, Tennessee. The crash, which occurred in heavy fog and during a brief power outage, left seven passengers seriously injured and caused significant traffic congestion in the area. The following is a comprehensive recap of the incident, drawn from the original WSMV.com coverage and additional information linked within the article.

1. The Incident

1.1 Time and Location

The crash took place at approximately 6:12 p.m. local time. WEGO buses routinely shuttle passengers between downtown Nashville and the suburban neighborhoods of Westmoreland, Bellevue, and Franklin. The vehicle involved—a 54‑seat 2023 New Flyer Xcelsior—was heading westbound on I‑65 when it collided with a semi‑trailer that had been traveling northbound. The collision happened about a mile south of the Hardin Pike interchange, an area known for frequent accidents during adverse weather.

1.2 Weather Conditions

Nashville’s winter weather report for that night indicated a low of 29 °F with dense fog that reduced visibility to less than a quarter of a mile. A brief, 12‑minute power outage at the I‑65 interchanges forced several exit and entrance signals to blink red, further complicating traffic flow.

1.3 Mechanical Issues

According to a preliminary statement from WEGO’s safety director, the bus had a minor brake‑system fault that had been reported in a prior maintenance check. While the fault was flagged, the driver—an experienced 15‑year veteran—had reported no immediate warning signs. WEGO’s spokesperson confirmed that the company has a rigorous maintenance schedule and that the fault was within acceptable limits. However, in the high‑speed context of interstate driving, even a minor flaw can have amplified consequences.

2. The Response

2.1 First‑Responder Actions

Nashville Police Department (NPD) officers were on scene within seconds, following a call from the dispatch center. The NPD’s Hazardous Materials (HazMat) unit assessed that there was no immediate danger of fire or chemical spill. Meanwhile, the Nashville Fire Department (NFD) units, including the rapid‑response ambulance teams, worked to extricate passengers from the bus and stabilize them on the spot.

2.2 Hospital Transport

Seven individuals were transported to the Nashville General Hospital’s trauma center in the early hours of the morning. WSMV’s article notes that two of the injured suffered severe head trauma, while the remaining five sustained spinal injuries and internal bleeding. All passengers were air‑lifted to the hospital due to the complexity of their conditions. WSMV’s source, Dr. Emily Hayes, Chief of Trauma Services at Nashville General, confirmed that the hospital’s ICU was prepared for the influx and that three patients are currently in a stable but monitored state.

2.3 Traffic Disruption

Traffic on I‑65 was closed for approximately 45 minutes while police cleared debris and rerouted traffic. The NPD’s traffic management division coordinated with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to establish temporary detours. By 8:00 p.m., traffic began to resume normal flow, but the area remained congested for a full hour as commuters returned to their cars.

3. Investigation Findings

3.1 Accident Analysis

The Tennessee Department of Safety (TDS) began a full investigation immediately. The TDS report, released a day later via the WSMV article’s linked PDF, cites a combination of driver fatigue, reduced visibility, and brake‑system malfunction as the primary contributors. The driver’s duty hours had been logged at 8 h 45 min, slightly below the 10‑hour maximum, but the TDS noted that driver fatigue can manifest even within legal limits.

3.2 Safety Recommendations

The TDS has recommended that WEGO re‑evaluate its driver rest‑period policies and invest in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), such as adaptive cruise control and lane‑departure warnings. Additionally, WEGO’s CEO, Marcus Thompson, issued a statement that the company will conduct a “comprehensive safety audit” and will consider “additional training modules focusing on extreme weather navigation.”

3.3 Legal Proceedings

While no charges have been filed as of the article’s last update, the Tennessee Attorney General’s office opened a civil inquiry into potential negligence. WEGO’s legal counsel has stated that the company is cooperating fully and has not yet issued any statements regarding liability.

4. Community Impact

4.1 Public Reaction

Social media chatter in the wake of the crash was mixed, with many residents expressing gratitude for the prompt emergency response, while others called for stricter regulations on public‑transport shuttles. A WSMV‑sponsored community forum was announced for the following Wednesday to discuss the safety of bus routes in inclement weather.

4.2 WEGO’s Community Outreach

In response, WEGO has pledged to sponsor a new “Road Safety Awareness” program targeting high school students in the Nashville area. The program will incorporate classroom presentations, driving simulations, and a scholarship fund for students pursuing transportation engineering degrees.

4.3 Hospital Perspective

Dr. Hayes noted that the emergency department was “brought to a near‑maximum capacity” for the first time in several months. The hospital has already allocated additional funding to upgrade its trauma‑care technology, citing the bus crash as a catalyst.

5. Follow‑Up Links

• Tennessee Department of Safety Accident Report (PDF linked in the article)
• WEGO Safety Statement (link to WEGO’s official website)
• Nashville General Hospital Trauma Overview (link to hospital’s public safety page)
• Nashville Police Traffic Management (link to NPD’s traffic division)

These linked resources provide further granular data on the crash, including detailed vehicle telemetry, traffic pattern analytics, and expert commentary on best practices for bus safety during low‑visibility conditions.

6. Bottom Line

The December 10 WEGO bus crash serves as a stark reminder of how a confluence of seemingly minor factors—weather, maintenance, driver fatigue—can culminate in a high‑profile transportation disaster. While emergency responders saved seven lives and the subsequent investigation is ongoing, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about public‑transport safety, regulatory oversight, and community resilience in Nashville. The city, the transportation company, and state authorities are now tasked with implementing the lessons learned to mitigate future risks.