Semi Driver Dies As Truck Hits Vehicle, Pole, Bursts Into Flames

Joliet IL

14 August, 2021

9:24 AM

Description

JOLIET, IL — The Interstate 80 stretch through Joliet was closed to traffic on Saturday morning after a semi-trailer veered off the eastbound lanes, crashed and caught fire. Illinois State Police said the driver of the semi, identified only as a 54-year-old man from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was killed, but no one else was hurt. Saturday morning, Joliet Fire Chief Greg Blaskey initially said authorities could not locate the driver, but he was presumed to be in the wreckage. State police said traffic was slowing due to construction on eastbound I-80 just east of Larkin Avenue around 6:30 a.m. when the man's 2018 Peterbilt semi hit the back of a 2019 Toyota Highlander. The Highlander was occupied by three Plainfield residents, including a 46-year-old woman who was driving, a 47-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman. Police said the semi then veered off the right side of the road, hitting several trees and a power line pole, causing power lines to fall on the semi. Falling electrical lines also hit a westbound 2020 Ford driven by a 22-year-old woman from Chicago. The semi caught fire and power lines were stretched across the semi, not allowing firefighters to put water on the truck, Blaskey said. The semi driver was pronounced dead at the scene by the Will County Coroner's Office. The occupants of the Highlander and the Ford were unhurt, police said. All lanes of eastbound I-80 were closed until 9:45 a.m., police said. ComEd crews were needed to repair the downed utility lines that were stretched across several lanes of traffic, the fire chief said.