ISP INVESTIGATES TRAFFIC CRASH WITH INJURIES

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 19

WHAT:                      Single Vehicle Traffic Crash with Injuries

WHERE:                   Interstate 64 eastbound at Milepost 106, Wayne County.

WHEN:                      May 10, 2022 at 8:24 a.m.

VEHICLE:                Unit 1 – White 2008 Peterbilt Truck Tractor Flatbed Trailer                        

DRIVER:                   Unit 1 – Christopher D. Smith, a 39-year-old male from Douglass, KS – Refused medical attention.                          

PEDESTRIAN:         Guillermo Palmerin, a 25-year-old male from Cobden, IL – Transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

PRELIMINARY:      Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 1 was eastbound on Interstate 64, near Milepost 106, approaching a single lane bridge construction in Wayne County. Unit 1 was hauling an oversized load on the trailer which was within the width requirement for the single lane. Unit 1 crossed over the right fog lane and the passenger side trailer tires and fenders struck the adjacent guardrail to the right causing the guardrail to become airborne. The guardrail landed on the other side of the construction concrete barrier and struck a construction worker in the lower right leg. The worker was transported in a company vehicle to an area hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. No further information will be disseminated.

CHARGES:               Smith was cited for Improper Lane Use and No Proper Evidence of Registration 

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.