May 11th, 2010 | 
Author: CHICAGO, IL – Two semi trucks collided Friday morning, April 30, 2010, and erupted in flames on an interstate on the south side of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois. The double truck accident occurred when one of the trucks was attempting to change lanes on Interstate 57 and crashed into a second semi trailer. The accident area is in the northeast section of the state 89 miles south of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and 95 miles northwest of South Bend, Indiana.
According to an Illinois State trooper at the scene, as the truck driver was changing lanes he lost control of his rig and slid into the path of another semi truck already in the right lane of the interstate.
Shortly after 7:00 a.m. Friday morning a semi truck was traveling in the northbound left lane on Interstate 57 in Chicago. The truck was not carrying a load at the time and was not pulling a trailer. As the unidentified truck driver, reportedly in his 30s, was moving in the area near 111th Street he attempted to move over to the right lane.
According to an Illinois State trooper at the scene, as the truck driver was changing lanes he lost control of his rig and slid into the path of another semi tanker truck that was already in the right lane of the interstate. The tanker truck was unable to swerve out of the way and the two trucks collided.
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The second 18 wheeler, driven by a man in his 50s, was carrying a 45,000 pound load of a non-flammable substance called de-foamer. A fuel tank on the first truck punctured when it skidded into the second rig and erupted in flames. According to one witness the truck accident caused an explosion in the cab of the tanker truck. The witness said that a great amount of fuel spilled and black smoke filled the air.
Both drivers were able to escape from their trucks’ cabs after the fiery crash. The driver of the second 18 wheeler suffered serious injuries in the truck accident. Chicago Fire Department EMTs treated him at the scene and then transported him to Little Company of Mary Hospital in nearby Evergreen Park. According to a fire department spokesman the driver’s injuries are not life threatening.
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The driver of the first truck complained of chest pains and minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital.
Chicago firefighters were at the scene of the truck accident and worked to extinguish the flaming rigs. Illinois State troopers were also at the scene and shut down the inbound lanes of I-57 while the firefighters worked and crews cleared debris out of the traffic lanes. Northbound traffic was diverted to southbound lanes causing major delays in both directions during the busy morning commute.
The driver of the first semi trailer truck was charged with “Improper Lane Usage” according to an Illinois State Trooper. Additional charges may be brought pending on the completion of the truck accident investigation.
For more information about Illinois trucking laws, truck injury causes and victims rights, contact nationwide truck accident attorneys Gordon, Elias & Seely, LLP for expert advice. For a free initial consultation, talk to an IL truck accident lawyer at 800.773.6770.
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