Five Killed and 500 Evacuated in Semi-Truck Accident in Illinois

Illinois State Police have identified the vehicle and driver believed to be involved in a fatal semi-truck crash that caused an anhydrous ammonia leak in the U.S. Highway 40 in Illinois in late September.

The vehicle was a red 2023  truck, driven by John Doe, 35, of Teutopolis, Illinois. Police thanked the communities of Montrose and Teutopolis for providing information that led to the identification of the vehicle and driver.

On Sept. 29, the semi-truck driver pulled to the right of the road in reaction to another vehicle, causing the cargo tank to overturn and start leaking, prompting the evacuation of 500 people.

Five people were killed due to exposure to anhydrous ammonia: Pastor Danny J. Smith, 67, of New Haven, Missouri; Vasile Cricovan, 31, of Twinsburg, Ohio; Kenneth Bryan, 34, of Teutopolis, Illinois; Rosie Bryan, 7, of Beecher City, Illinois; and Walker Bryan, 10, of Beecher City, Illinois.

Six other people were hospitalized. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is still investigating the incident, which occurred Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. Firefighters, police, and other emergency responders were on the scene Saturday to try to contain the ammonia leak.

“We have a lot of brave firemen, EMTs, hazmat specialists, and police officers working on this scene as we speak,” Effingham County Sheriff Paul Kuhns said at a news conference Saturday.

Authorities did not say exactly how many people were injured, but the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency confirmed there were five fatalities. The accident caused a large plume of anhydrous ammonia to leak onto the roadway, creating dangerous air conditions in the northeast area of Teutopolis, Ill. “Because of these conditions, the emergency responders had to wait,” Illinois State Police spokesperson Melaney Kuhns said. “They had to mitigate the conditions before they could really get to work on it, and it was a fairly large area.

Beloved Missouri Pastor Among Those Killed 

Missouri Pastor Dan, 67, was one of the five people who died while driving through Central Illinois when the chemical truck jackknifed and spilled anhydrous ammonia onto the road.

Pastor Dan was scheduled to preach Sunday morning at the New Haven Church of the Nazarene in the small river town of New Haven, Franklin County in Missouri. Instead, some church members learned of his death with shock and sadness.

“He was a wonderful man and a great pastor,” said church member Mary Jones. “He’ll be deeply missed by the whole community.”

Pastor Dan was known for his kindness and compassion. He was always willing to help those in need, and he was a beloved member of the New Haven community.

The accident has sent shockwaves through the communities of New Haven and Teutopolis, the small town where the crash occurred. Residents are mourning the loss of their loved ones and coming together to support each other during this difficult time.

Crews worked overnight to contain the leak, but shifting winds made it difficult. The accident is a tragic example of the dangers involved when big rigs crash, people can be injured or killed, and hazardous materials can be spilled onto the roadway, creating danger for the motoring public.

The accident is a reminder of the importance of safety on the road, especially when hazardous materials are being transported. It is also a reminder of the importance of community support, as people come together to help each other heal in the aftermath of tragedy.

The Legal Team at Scherr Law is Here to Help Big Truck Accident Victims

In the unfortunate event of being involved in a collision with a tractor-trailer, you may consider seeking fair compensation. Jim Scherr’s legal representation has successfully secured more than $370 million in compensation for clients who have suffered losses due to unsafe practices attributed to FedEx commercial trucks. Scherr Law has emerged as a leading advocate in the effort to hold FedEx responsible for its practices that have regrettably led to instances of severe injuries and tragic fatalities.

If you or a loved one is involved in a tragic, catastrophic, or wrongful death accident involving a  tractor-trailer or a FedEx vehicle, contact the attorneys at James Scherr Law for a complimentary consultation at 1.855.SUE.FEDX.