August 18th, 2010 | 
Author: NEW BADEN, IL – The driver of a semi trailer was seriously injured Friday afternoon, August 6, in a fiery truck accident on a highway in Clinton County, Illinois. The collision, which involved four other vehicles, occurred on Interstate 64 near the city of New Baden, IL, about 30 miles east of St. Louis, Missouri. The accident area is in the south west section of the state about 100 miles south of Springfield, IL and about 109 miles north of Cape Girardeau, MO.
The impact of the truck accident apparently damaged one or more fuel tanks and the U-Haul, pick-up, and semi trailer truck burst into flames.
Shortly before noon on Friday a semi trailer truck was traveling west on Interstate 64 in Clinton County, IL. As the semi truck drove through the area near the city of New Baden, IL the unidentified truck driver came upon a line of traffic that had slowed down to move through a construction zone. The first vehicle in the lane of traffic was a pick –up truck followed by a U-Haul box truck.
The semi trailer truck apparently was traveling at a higher rate of speed when he came upon the slower vehicles. The driver was unable to slow down or maneuver around to avoid a collision and slammed into the back of the U-Haul box truck. The force of the rear-end truck accident pushed the U-Haul truck into the back of the pick-up truck.
Illinois State Police shut down the westbound lanes of I-64 while emergency workers aided the victims and firefighters put out the burning vehicles.
Following behind the semi truck was a Chevy SUV. The driver of the Chevy saw the truck accident and stopped on the interstate, but a flatbed trailer truck traveling behind him could not stop and crashed into the SUV, shoving it into the first semi trailer truck.
The impact of the truck accident apparently damaged one or more fuel tanks and the U-Haul, pick-up, and semi trailer truck burst into flames. The Chevy SUV and flatbed trailer truck did not catch on fire.
Local emergency personnel responded to the scene of the truck accident. The driver of the semi trailer truck that set off the chain reaction collision sustained serious injuries in the incident. The semi truck had overturned on its side, trapping the driver in the cab of his truck. Rescuers had to extricate the driver through the moon roof of the cab. Once free he was treated and stabilized at the scene and then transported to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville, IL. He was then transferred by medical helicopter to St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Officials reported that his condition was improving and his injuries as of Friday night were considered not life threatening.
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The driver of the flatbed trailer truck sustained minor injuries in the truck accident and was also transported to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. The drivers of the U-Haul, pick-up, and SUV were able to escape the fiery collision without injuries.
Illinois State Police shut down the westbound lanes of I-64 while emergency workers aided the victims and firefighters put out the burning vehicles. The lanes would remain closed while highway crews removed the debris and wreckage of the multi vehicle truck accidents.
During the lane closures traffic was diverted to Albers Road and Illinois State Highway 161 which took them into New Baden. The westbound lanes of I-64 reopened Friday evening.
At this time no charges have been brought and the truck accident remains under investigation.
For more information about Illinois trucking laws, truck injury causes and victims rights, contact a nationwide truck accident attorney at Gordon, Elias & Seely, LLP for expert advice. For a free initial consultation, talk to a IL truck accident lawyer at 800.773.6770.
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