WHITE CO., Ill.—A collision between two commercial trucks on U.S. 45 earlier today caused road closure for about three and a half hours, and sent one of the drivers to the hospital.
The crash occurred on U.S. Route 45 at White County Road 2200N at approximately 12:15 p.m. today (Wednesday, November 19, 2014) in the vicinity of Circle R Fertilizer.
According to the preliminary traffic crash investigative details issued by Illinois State Police out of District 19, the driver of a yellow 2010 Isuzu truck, Darrell W. Terry II, 33, of Herrin, was eastbound on White County Road 2200N at the intersection with US Route 45 in rural White County, when he attempted to cross US Route 45. As Terry crossed US Route 45, his vehicle was struck in the rear by a northbound 2007 Peterbilt truck towing a MAC semi-dump trailer, driven by Jonathan P. Brown, 38, of Galatia. Following impact, the truck and trailer combination overturned, blocking both lanes of US Route 45.
Brown was transported from the crash scene by Air Evac to an Evansville, Indiana, hospital for injuries sustained in the traffic crash. Terry was not injured. No passengers were in either vehicle, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation. Both lanes of US Route 45 are now open.
Rick’s Towing of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, uprighted and removed the Peterbuilt truck and semi-dump trailer. The Isuzu truck was able to be driven away from the crash scene.
ISP District 19 was assisted at the crash scene by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), White County Sheriff’s Department, White County Ambulance Service, Air Evac, Rick’s Towing, and Circle R Fertilizer. In addition, an Illinois State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer (C.V.E.O.) was also assigned to the investigation.