Southaven Man Killed In Crash In Southern Illinois
JEFFERSON CO.IL
(Courtesy: WSIL-TV)
WSIL Tv is reporting the following story about a crash in Southern Illinois, that killed a Southaven man.
Authorities have released more information on a fatal crash that shut down Interstate 57 for more than 7 hours Thursday.
A spokesperson for the Illinois State Police Department has identified Richard Stapleton, 49, of Southaven, Mississippi as the person who died.
Preliminary investigation finds that two semi-trucks were slowing for a previous accident near milepost 79 in the southbound lanes of Interstate 57. Stapleton was also driving a semi-truck in the southbound lanes and failed to reduce his speed, crashing into one of the semi’s and causing a chain reaction crash.
Stapleton was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash by the Jefferson County Coroner.
The other two semi-truck drivers were both taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.
UPDATED STORY JULY 20, 2017 4:30 P.M.
WSIL — Authorities with the Illinois State Police Department have released more information on the fatal crash that happened on Interstate 57 just before 9 Thursday morning.
Trooper Greg Miller tells News 3 that ISP is investigating the single fatality crash that happened in the southbound lanes of I-57 at milepost 82 near Ina.
An initial investigation finds that a white 2015 Freightliner Truck and an orange 2018 Western Star Straight truck were slowing down to avoid another accident that happened earlier Thursday morning. A red Volvo Truck failed to reduce speed and hit the rear of the Freightliner, forcing a chain reaction crash into the rear-end of the Western Star Straight truck. The Volvo truck and the Freightliner received major damage in the crash.
The driver of the Freightliner was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash by the Jefferson County Coroner. No names will be released, pending family notification.
All lanes of I-57 southbound were closed for approximately 7 hours for the crash investigation and cleanup.
The right lane of I-57 will remain closed until further notice for hazmat cleanup.
Editor Note: Please Keep the Stapleton family in your prayers…
