ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12

WHAT:                      Two Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   Interstate 70 eastbound near milepost 152, Clark County

WHEN:                      Aug. 6, 2022 at approximately 3:16 a.m.

VEHICLES:              Unit 1- 2021 Yellow Peterbilt Truck-Tractor

                                    Unit 2- 2011 Yellow Freightliner Truck-Tractor Semi-Trailer Combination

DRIVERS:                 Unit 1- Duane Jones, 45-year-old male from Dayton, OH

                                    Unit 2- Claude Watson, 60-year-old male from St. Louis, MO - Deceased

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 and Unit 2 were both traveling east on Interstate 70 near milepost 152 in Clark County. Unit 1 was in the right lane and Unit 2 was in the left lane. As Unit 2 driver was passing Unit 1, Unit 1 crossed the centerline and made contact with Unit 2. Both Unit 1 and Unit 2 left the road to the right, crossing a ditch and traveling through a steel fence. Unit 2 overturned, landed on the driver’s side and caught fire in a field. Unit 1 came to rest upright in the field. The driver of Unit 2 was pronounced deceased on scene by the Clark County Coroner. Unit 1 driver reported no injuries.

CHARGES:               The driver of Unit 1 was cited for Improper Lane Usage.

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