One Person Dies in Hartford, IL Semi Truck Accident

October 12th, 2011 |

HARTFORD, IL – A 61-year old man was killed on October 11, 2011 when the pickup truck he was driving rear-ended a semi truck in Hartford, IL.

Scene at the entry gate of the ConocoPhillips refinery in Hartford, IL where a 61 year-old man driving a red pickup truck rear-ended an 18 wheeler and was killed on Tuesday, October 11, 2011.

Hartford is located in Madison County, Illinois in the western part of the state on the border with Missouri. Hartford is about 17 miles northeast of Florissant, MO, 39 miles northeast of Chesterfield, MO and about 92 miles southwest of Springfield, IL

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The accident occurred around 6:35 a.m. Tuesday morning just outside the ConocoPhillips plant in Hartford when a tractor-trailer moving westbound on East Hawthorne Street was turning into Gate 3 of the refinery.

Map showing location of fatal semi truck accident in Hartford, IL on East Hawthorne St. near Gate 3 of the ConocoPhillips refinery.

The victim was driving a red 1997 GMC Sierra pickup truck and slammed into the back of the 18 wheeler as it was slowing down to make a right turn into the refinery gate.

The deceased was identified as Tommy D. Underwood, 61 years old from Wood River, IL. He had to be extricated from his vehicle by emergency personnel and was rushed to the hospital by helicopter where he was pronounced dead. Underwood was the only occupant of the pickup truck.

An autopsy is planned and toxicolgy tests will be performed. Police do not believe alcohol consumption was involved.

The big rig driver was identified as Gary Howell from Irondale, MO. He was not injured in the mishap. There was no wrongdoing on the part of the semi truck driver and no citation was issued by police.

Authorities report that the deceased pickup truck driver was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. Underwood did not apply the brakes as evident by the lack of skid marks. His pickup truck was a total loss.

The semi trailer was empty at the time of the accident and was in the process of picking up a load from the refinery.

There are no details as to the name of the trucking company.

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One Person Dies in Hartford, IL Semi Truck Accident