Truck driver cited after fatal crash on Illinois interstate

Truck driver cited after fatal crash on Illinois interstate

On June 16, a truck accident on Interstate 39 left one person dead and three others injured. Police say that the 45-year-old man driving the semi-truck received a citation for failing to reduce his speed. The incident occurred in a construction zone at approximately 3 p.m. near State Route 72.

Reports indicate that the truck driver was headed south on I-39. He rear-ended an SUV occupied by two people, and it was pushed into a ditch. The semi-truck then hit a second SUV driven by a 47-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman’s vehicle. The truck driver reportedly swerved into the ditch and struck another car.

A man in the first SUV was killed, and his wife was taken to OSF St. Anthony Medical Center by helicopter for treatment of serious injuries. She remained in the hospital on June 17 in critical condition. The truck driver and a woman in the second passenger vehicle that was struck were also transported to a medical facility. An investigation of the crash closed southbound I-39 for a few hours.

After a fatal accident, the family of the deceased may decide to consult with a personal injury lawyer to determine if a wrongful death suit is appropriate. In addition to the emotional distress of their loved one’s death, a family may also be faced with other financial hardships such as the expenses to arrange a funeral. The compensation that could be awarded through the suit may help cover some of these costs. In the event an individual is killed in a crash involving a semi-truck, a lawyer may be able to examine police reports to determine if the trucking company is also liable.

Source: SaukValley.com, “Semi driver cited in fatal I-39 crash“, Chris Johnson, June 18, 2014