Two Killed, Three Injured in Truck Accident on I-57 in Jefferson County, IL
Jefferson County, IL -- December 19, 2022, two people were killed and three people were injured due to a tractor-trailer accident on I-57.
Investigators said that the incident happened at approximately 1:18 a.m. along I-57 near mile marker 102.
Officials said that a 67-year-old man and a 61-year-old woman from Shreveport, Louisiana, were in an SUV traveling northbound on the interstate. Due to a series of events unclear, the SUV and a tractor-trailer "made contact" as construction traffic merged. Authorities say the semi-truck left the scene.
Due to the collision, the Louisiana couple sustained fatal injuries. Three others from the SUV, including a juvenile, were taken to the hospital. No further information about the truck is available at this time.
Commentary on Fatal Truck Accident on I-57 in Jefferson County
It's just infuriating to see that a truck left the scene here. Not only could they have stayed to help, but this is often a sign that person was responsible for the crash. I can't say if that's true here, but finding the driver is important, regardless. One possible helpful step is simply to keep the details in the public eye as much as possible. It helps the chances that someone who knows something will come forward.
A while back, for example, that happened after a deadly wreck where a truck forced someone into oncoming traffic, then left the scene. After police came up with nothing, someone actually came across the details we recirculated in the public. It was a couple that actually witnessed the crash, followed the truck, and wrote down its info. They only stopped pursuit because the truck driver literally tried to run them off the road after he saw them tailing the truck.
This couple went to police, but somehow, the authorities lost track of things and let it slip through the cracks. Thanks to them seeing others searching for the truck, they were able to help identify the trucker for that grieving family.
Whatever happened here, simple diligence is often a vital step in seeing a family gets the answers they need and sees someone face the appropriate consequences for their actions. The same may prove true here in time.
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