Crash on Gatlinburg Parkway injures seven, parkway reopens

A major multi-vehicle accident sent shockwaves through downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee, on Sunday afternoon, leaving residents and tourists searching for answers as emergency crews flooded the area.

Authorities say the crash occurred around:15 p.m. in the 700 block of the Parkway, Gatlinburg’s main tourist thoroughfare. According to initial reports, a minivan suddenly accelerated in the bustling pedestrian district, striking a person in a crosswalk before colliding with several vehicles. The impact caused one of the cars to hit a roadside sign, which then injured another pedestrian on the sidewalk.

In total, seven people were injured, including five occupants from two vehicles and two pedestrians. Three of the injured were airlifted in serious condition to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, while the other three were transported by ambulance to local hospitals The Parkway was immediately shut down, causing significant disruption in the heart of Gatlinburg’s tourism district, and remained closed for several hours as emergency teams responded and cleared the scene.

Preliminary investigations suggest the driver of the minivan may have suffered a medical emergency, possibly a seizure, leading to the sudden acceleration and subsequent crash No fatalities have been officially confirmed as of the latest updates, and the identities of those involved have not been released.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol and Gatlinburg Police Department continue to investigate the incident. Officials are urging anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant footage to contact local authorities as they work to piece together the full sequence of events.

Videos and photos shared on social media captured the chaotic aftermath: multiple vehicles severely damaged, debris scattered across the road, and emergency responders tending to victims as bystanders looked on in shock.

The Parkway has since reopened, but the community remains on edge, awaiting further details about what led to this tragic event in one of Tennessee’s busiest tourist towns.