Several Weather Related Weekend Accidents

An Effingham man escaped serious injury after being struck on I-57 near Edgewood Friday evening.

James Denton, an IDOT Employee from Effingham, was putting flares on a section of I-57 near Edgewood when he was struck by another motorist who lost control on the ice-covered roadway.

State Police report Denton was putting flares down to warn motorists of a crash ahead when a car driven by 64-year-old Patrick Grauenke of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, was driving over a hill and bridge, lost control, and went off the right side of the roadway. Denton saw the car lose control, ran, and jumped over a guardrail.

Grauenke's vehicle struck the guardrail and Denton’s legs, however, Denton received only minor injuries from being struck. Neither Grauenke or Denton required hospital treatment.

Grauenke was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.

State Police report that at 5:33 pm Friday evening a truck driven by Marvin R. Curtiss, 76 of Utica, Michigan, was traveling south on I-57 at the Sigel exit when he lost control on the ice-covered bridge and slid into the guardrail. The truck then bounced off the guardrail and into the lane of traffic where it was struck by another truck driven by James R. Aitken, 53 of Beecher City, overturning the truck onto the shoulder. 

Both drivers reported no injuries, however, Dorothy L. Curtiss, 74 of Utica, Michigan, a  passenger of Curtiss was transported to HSHS St. Anthony Memorial Hospital for treatment of injuries.

No charges were issued. 

High winds Saturday evening caused a single semi accident on I-70 between Altamont and Effingham at 4:57 pm.

A semi pulling two trailers operated by Brett D.P. Kear, 62 of Indianapolis, Indiana was eastbound on I-70 near milepost 87.5, in the right lane when it began to sway in a heavy crosswind.  Kear attempted to slow down but was unable to control the vehicle.  While swaying, the rear trailer left the roadway, to the right, and entered the south ditch. The rear trailer then overturned, pulling the first trailer and the tractor into the ditch and down a steep embankment.  The semi-tractor proceeded to roll over onto its roof, along with the first trailer. The second trailer came to rest on its side. 

Kear was able to exit the vehicle with minor injuries and was transported to HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham by Abbott EMS. 

Kear was not cited after the accident.