Five people tragically lost their lives on Monday night when a single-engine plane crashed near an interstate highway in Nashville, Tennessee. The pilot had reported engine trouble and attempted to make an emergency landing at John C. Tune Airport, but ultimately the aircraft burst into flames on a grassy median just off Interstate 40, behind a Costco store on the city's westside. Metro Nashville Police Department spokesman Don Aaron confirmed the fatalities, with the exact number of victims still being determined.

The crash led to the closure of lanes on the busy stretch of I-40 East, with traffic cameras showing a large emergency response blocking off the area. The Tennessee Department of Transportation announced the closure at mile marker 202 and advised commuters to find alternate routes for their travel. While one eastbound lane was expected to reopen later that night, two lanes were anticipated to be open by rush hour on Tuesday morning, although delays were still expected.

Fortunately, there were no injuries to drivers on the interstate or damage to any vehicles or buildings on the ground. The Metro Nashville Police Department stated that the investigation into the crash will continue, with the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration conducting a thorough examination once the accident scene is secured. The tragic event has left the community in mourning and raised questions about the origin of the ill-fated flight.