One truck driver was killed and another seriously injured after a semi truck plowed into two FedEx tractor trailers that were parked on the shoulder of Interstate 80 on Tuesday morning.
It happened on September 26th in Joliet, Illinois.
According to ABC 7 Chicago, at approximately 6:10 a.m. a FedEx truck broke down on the side of eastbound I-80 near mile marker 129. Another FedEx driver then stopped to help the broke down driver.
Horrible fatal crash involving 3 semis with 1 catching on fire BLOCKS EB lanes of I-80 between I-55 & Larkin. pic.twitter.com/qg7PCkmOnd
— Jeanette Hudson (@JHudsontraffic) September 26, 2017
As the two FedEx drivers were dealing with the disabled truck, a third semi truck rear-ended the two parked tractor trailers. The force of the impact ignited a fire in all three semi trucks and completely destroyed the cab of the third truck.
UPDATE: Traffic is being rerouted onto I-55 and Houbolt Ave from I-80 eastbound after fatal semi crash. pic.twitter.com/4Gtg4rs2ZI
— Jenny Milkowski (@jennymilk) September 26, 2017
One FedEx driver was killed in the crash. The other FedEx driver was not injured. The third semi truck driver was transported to a nearby hospital with serious burn injuries. He was later airlifted to a second hospital.
All eastbound lanes of I-80 have been blocked off while crews investigate the incident and clean up the mess. These lanes are expected to remain closed until around 11 a.m.
Horrible images from Skycam9 of fatal crash EB 80 near Larkin inv. 3 semis. Live report coming up on @WGNMorningNews next pic.twitter.com/8utveJTv3J
— Sarah Jindra (@SarahJindra) September 26, 2017
The westbound lanes were closed briefly but have since been reopened, reported WGN TV.
As of 10:21 a.m., traffic on I-80 east is being redirected to Interstate 55 and Houbolt Road.