Truck Accident Lawyer News

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL – A speeding semi trailer truck crashed Thursday afternoon, October 14, on a highway ramp in Cook County, Illinois. The driver was critically injured in the truck accident which occurred on the Bishop Ford Freeway in South Holland, IL. The accident area is just southwest of Chicago in the far northeast corner of the state, about 17 miles west of Gary, Indiana.

Early Thursday afternoon an unidentified truck driver was traveling northbound on the Bishop Ford Freeway in Cook County, IL. The freeway is also known as Interstate 94. The semi was pulling a flatbed trailer and hauling a cargo of 4 foot by 8 foot steel sheet panels. It is not known where the driver was taking the load of steel. One female passenger was also riding in the cab of the semi flatbed truck.

The truck accident occurred just after 12:30 Thursday afternoon as the driver was attempting to exit the freeway. According to police the truck driver was heading down the freeway’s exit ramp which led to eastbound 159th Street in the Chicago suburb of South Holland. The semi flatbed was reportedly going too fast and the truck driver lost control of the 18 wheeler truck. The semi truck flipped over landing on its side on the freeway exit ramp.

No other persons or vehicles were involved in the truck accident.

The impact of the truck accident partially crushed the cab of the flatbed and trapped the driver and the passenger inside. They would have to wait for emergency personnel to reach the scene and free them from the cab. Local rescue workers responding to the crash site used several different tools to cut through the cab’s metal. Once the driver and passenger were free paramedics treated and stabilized the two victims.

MAP
View Larger Map

The driver of the semi suffered serious injuries in the truck accident. A medical helicopter was brought to the scene of the rollover crash and transported the truck driver to Advocate Christ Medical Center in nearby Oak Lawn. As of Friday he was still in the hospital listed in critical condition. The female passenger had less severe injuries and reportedly did not require hospitalization.

The truck accident caused major delays on the freeway which lasted into the afternoon rush time. Police shut down lanes in both the northbound and southbound lanes of the highway while the rescue team helped the victims and to clear a spot for the medical helicopter to land. The southbound lanes were reopened shortly after the helicopter took off but the northbound lanes remained closed for about two hours.

The exit ramp was still closed more than three hours after the truck accident. A heavy duty tow truck had to be brought to the site and highway crews worked to get the overturned semi flatbed trailer back up on its wheels.

Police conducted a reconstruction of the one vehicle collision and initial findings point to excessive speed as the cause of the truck accident. Officials have not said whether they suspect other factors such as drugs, alcohol, or mechanical failure.

The driver has not yet been charged and the truck accident remains under investigation.

Gordon Elias & Seely, LLP recommend that if you know anyone who has been injured or killed as the result of a commercial truck accident involving a semi truck, 18 wheeler, big rig, tractor trailer or bus, tell them to immediately contact a qualified truck accident lawyer for advice. Often times the truck company and the truck driver will be from other states other than where the accident occurred. Truck accident attorneys often times have relationships with other experienced truck accident attorneys licensed in other states. Gordon, Elias & Seely LLP are licensed in Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana and Washington, DC and have informal relationships with other truck accident lawyers. For more information, visit their page about Illinois truck accidents or call 800.773.6770.

Comments are closed.