Memphis, TN : One person died and nine others injured after a crash on Interstate 40 near Hollywood Street on Sunday, March 6, 2016

One person died and nine others were injured after a crash on Interstate 40 near Hollywood Street.

The crash happened just before 3:30 a.m Sunday.

At least four cars were involved in the crash. Seven people were injured.

Investigators said the first car, driven by 26-year-old Ambra Butler, was going the wrong way on I-40W when it hit the second car head on, knocking it into the third and fourth vehicles.

Barbra Mason, 62, was pronounced dead at the scene.

In addition, two people were taken to Regional Medical Center in critical condition. Seven people were taken to both Regional Medical Center and Le Bonheur Children's hospital in non-critical condition. Their ages range from 7 to 42 years old.

Neighbor Mary Davis said the passing of Mason is hard to bear. Mason was in a car with her daughter Yvonne, grandson Kevin Bonner and another passenger when they were hit head on.

“I can’t understand: How do you get on an off ramp?” Davis said.

The accident caused police to shut down westbound traffic on the interstate between Warford Street and Hollywood. The scene is now clear and lanes are back open.

Butler had to be pulled from her vehicle. When police were searching for her identification, they found a Tupperware container with marijuana in it and a prescription bottle with codeine. Officers also found a glass pipe and a bottle of Crown Royal on the floor board.

"You watch the news on TV and hear about people getting in a car accident, but you never think it would be this close",” Davis said.

Davis said Barbra and her grandson Kevin were inseparable.

"He’s crazy about his grandmother,” she said. “They haven’t told him. He always tells us if anything happens to my grandmother I don’t know what I would do."

Butler was charged with possession of codeine without prescription, possession of marijuana, unlawful drug paraphernalia, seven counts of aggravated assault, one count of aggravated vehicular homicide, driving on divided highways, DUI, public intoxication, reckless driving, and two counts of vehicular assault.

The driver of the third vehicle, 24-year-old Antonio Miller, is charged with driving on a suspended driver’s license and financial responsibility.

Source :
2 charged in crash that kills grandmother, injures 6 more