Driver Uninjured After Semi Crashes on I-72

By Jeremy Coumbes on December 29, 2021 at 10:27am

No one was injured after a semi-truck and trailer separated after striking an overpass on Interstate 72 yesterday.

Illinois State Police, Morgan County Sheriff’s Deputies, and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue all responded to a call of an overturned semi at approximately 11:00 Tuesday morning.

The truck had been traveling westbound on I-72 when it struck the overpass at mile marker/exit 68 at the East Morton exit on to Old Route 36. According to a report by the Journal-Courier, it is unknown if rainy weather at the time contributed to the crash, however it remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police.

The semi cab and grain trailer separated during the crash with the cab ending up under the overpass on the shoulder, and the trailer coming to rest on its side up the embankment.

The trailer showered grain up and onto Old Route 36 upon impact. Lieutenant Mike Hopper with the Jacksonville Fire Department told the Journal-Courier that the driver had been able to get out of the cab and did not need medical attention when first responders arrived on scene.

According to the report, a fuel tank was damaged during the crash and Envirovac of Jacksonville was called in to clean up the leak. The right lane of I-72 was closed for more than two hours following the crash.

Illinois State Police District 9 Master Sergeant Donald Kovak told WLDS News via email last night that he did not believe a media release would be completed on the incident.