Semi Accident Closes I-70, Drivers Injured

Illinois State Police investigated a traffic crash that occurred on Interstate 70 Eastbound at milepost 100 just east of Effingham Tuesday afternoon.

Both lanes of Interstate 70 were shut down because of a two-semi accident that ignited a fireball at approximately 4:15 p.m. Tuesday. Emergency personnel worked to extricate one of the drivers and Air Evac and Arch Helicopters were on the scene to transport victims from the scene to receive treatment.

All Eastbound traffic was detoured to Interstate 57 Northbound at the North Tri-level. Interstate 70 was shut down until after 10 p.m.

Injured were Moges Befekadu, age 38, of Tampa Fla. in the Volvo truck tractor and Jeremy Wilson, age 41 of Yale, in the Freightliner truck tractor.

Befekadu was traveling below the minimum speed limit in the right lane of Interstate 70. Wilson struck Befekadu in the rear of the box trailer. Befekadu was entrapped and had to be extricated from the vehicle. Both drivers were airlifted via helicopter to Carle Hospital in Champaign for treatment.