Gatlinburg Car Crash Sends Six to Hospital, Parkway Closed for Hours

A peaceful Sunday in Gatlinburg, Tennessee turned tragic after a major car crash on Parkway, the town’s busiest road. The accident involved five vehicles and left six people injured, three of whom were airlifted to the hospital.

What Happened in Gatlinburg?

The crash happened around 4:14 p.m. in the 700 block of Parkway, right in the center of downtown Gatlinburg. This area is always crowded, especially on weekends, as it leads into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park—one of the most visited parks in the U.S.

Eyewitness videos shared on social media showed severely damaged cars, car parts thrown across the street, and emergency workers rushing to help the victims.

Emergency Response

Multiple emergency units responded, including:

• Gatlinburg Police Department

• Gatlinburg Fire Department

• Tennessee Highway Patrol

• Lifestar medical helicopters

Three people were taken by helicopter to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, while three others went by ambulance. As of now, no deaths have been confirmed.

Why This Matters

Parkway is a key tourist route filled with shops, restaurants, and arcades. It’s the main road leading into the Great Smoky Mountains. When it shut down, traffic in the area came to a complete standstill. Gatlinburg welcomes over 12 million visitors a year, so even a few hours of closure can cause massive disruption.

This isn’t the first time the town has seen traffic chaos. In peak tourist months, roads are often packed, and accidents are more likely.

Ongoing Investigation

The Tennessee Highway Patrol is leading the investigation. Officials have not released the names or conditions of the victims. They also haven’t said what caused the crash yet. The City of Gatlinburg said updates will be shared once more facts are confirmed.